| Area: | 25 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons |
| (February-May and September-November) | |
| Population: | 8.056 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 180 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railway inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, pulses, plantains, sorghum, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: November-December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 25 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The outlook for the 1998 A season crops, to be harvested from December 1997, is uncertain. The rainy season, which normally starts in mid-September, was three weeks late, particularly in northern and eastern parts, where cumulative precipitation in the first dekad of October remained below normal. The delay in rains is likely to have resulted in reductions in the area planted and left crops vulnerable to an early cessation of the precipitation. In the Gisenyi and Ruhengeri prefectures, continued insecurity in disrupting agricultural activities.
The food supply situation is difficult. Prices of basic staples have increased sharply and serious food shortages are reported in some areas, particularly in the south. Although food production increased last season, the output remained below the pre-crisis average despite the need to feed an enlarged population following the massive return of refugees last December.
An FAO/WFP Mission to assess the 1998 A season foodcrops and to estimate the 1998 import requirements, including food aid, is scheduled to visit the country in late December/early January.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
10 |
9 |
276 |
295 |
|
Normal Imports |
10 |
6 |
3 |
19 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
3 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
6 |
7 |
213 |
226 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
6 |
10 |
206 |
222 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
6 |
7 |
206 |
219 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
|
1997 Utilization |
31 |
24 |
232 |
287 |
|
Food Use |
31 |
24 |
208 |
263 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
(11) |
(11) |
|
Non-food use |
- |
- |
24 |
24 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
25 |
17 |
19 |
61 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
12 |
12 |
6 |
30 |
|
Food aid needs |
13 |
5 |
13 |
31 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
19 |
19 |
183 |
221 |
|
of which: Delivered |
10 |
19 |
181 |
210 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
11 |
11 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
3 |
26 |
33 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
75 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
321 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
443 |
