| Area: | 28 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 1.12 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 250 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity being improved; roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: May-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 64 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following abundant rains in June, precipitation was generally below normal in July and early August, delaying transplanting of rice from seedbeds. Precipitation became particularly abundant in late August and remained widespread and above normal during the entire month of September. Rainfall exceeding 200 mm has been registered in the south-east during the last dekad of September. Rains remained also abundant in October. Swamp fields have been well desalinated and rice is growing satisfactorily. Coarse grains are maturing or being harvested in the east and the north.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission visited Guinea-Bissau from 20 to 24 October. Composed of experts or consultants from FAO/GIEWS, the DIAPER Programme and the Agrhymet Centre of CILSS, this Mission worked closely with the national services involved in the monitoring of rainy season (meteorology, hydrology, plant protection, agricultural statistics) and estimated 1997 aggregate output of cereals at 186 600 tons, which is 29 percent above the 1996 level and 5.5 percent above average of the last five years.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
128 |
56 |
184 |
|
Normal Imports |
8 |
60 |
- |
68 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
1 |
5 |
- |
6 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
- |
55 |
78 |
133 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
83 |
71 |
154 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
55 |
71 |
126 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
4 |
145 |
61 |
216 |
|
Food Use |
3 |
112 |
66 |
181 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
10 |
23 |
33 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
10 1/ |
- |
10 1/ |
|
Possible stock build up |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
4 |
77 2/ |
- |
81 2/ |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
3 |
74 |
- |
77 |
|
Food aid needs |
1 |
3 |
- |
4 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
3 |
103 |
60 |
166 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
68 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
119 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
60 |
