FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 8

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.62 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 300 (1998)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The seasonal rains reached the south of the country in early March. Reflecting abundant rains and favourable growing conditions, cereal production in 1999 is estimated at a record of 161 000 tonnes which is 9 percent above 1998.

Following successive good crops, the food supply situation is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for the 2000 marketing year is estimated at 29 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 14 112 126

Normal Imports 25 4 3 32

of which: Structural food aid - - 1 1

2000 Domestic Availability - 13 140 153

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 21 140 161

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - 13 140 153

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000 Utilization 25 15 142 182

Food Use 24 13 109 146

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 3 21 24

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 12 12

2000 Import Requirement 25 2 2 29

Anticipated commercial imports 25 2 1 28

Food aid needs - - 1 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 1 1

of which: Delivered - - 1 1

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 7 4 30 41

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 128

2000 import requirement as % of normal: 91

2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 100

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

Area:	623 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November
Population:	3.62 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 300 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: May-July
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	21 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	14	112	126
Normal Imports	25	4	3	32
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	1	1
2000 Domestic Availability	-	13	140	153
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	21	140	161
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	13	140	153
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000 Utilization	25	15	142	182
Food Use	24	13	109	146
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	3	21	24
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	12	12
2000 Import Requirement	25	2	2	29
Anticipated commercial imports	25	2	1	28
Food aid needs	-	-	1	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	1	1
of which: Delivered	-	-	1	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	7	4	30	41
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				128
2000 import requirement as % of normal:				91
2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				100