| Area: | 886 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | December) and one in south (November-April) |
| Population: | 30.57 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 120 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | cereal deficit in the north-west. Distribution difficulties |
| Logistics: | Serious shortage of rolling stock, fuel and spare parts |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, roots, tubers, sorghum, pulses, plantains, rice |
| Marketing year: | June/May; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 60 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Planting of the 1998 main season cereal crop in the unimodal central and southern areas, as well as that of the 1998 short "Vuli" rains in bi-modal northern areas, are underway. Generally normal rains in the first dekad of October, which were abundant in eastern and some northern parts, improved soil conditions for planting operations and benefited earlier planted crops.
The 1997 cereal crop, mainly maize, is estimated at 3.3 million tons, one-third below the good level of the previous year. Other food crops, including beans, banana/plantains, cassava and potatoes also declined. In north and north-eastern parts, production was affected by a failure of the 1996/97 "Vuli" rains and by erratic precipitation during the second "Masika" rains season. In the main central and southern growing areas, the output of the "seasonal rains" crops was reduced by dry spells at critical stages of the growing season. As a result of the reduced 1997 cereal crop, the country has a deficit of 851 000 tons in the 1997/98 marketing year (June/May). While most of this shortfall is expected to be covered by commercial imports, the Government has launched an international appeal for 76 000 tons of emergency food assistance. Prices of food have increased sharply from last year’s level. The food supply situation is very difficult in areas where a poor harvest was gathered. It is estimated that some 3 million people face severe food shortages, mainly in 15 regions including Mara, Shinyanga, Kagera, Kigoma, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Morogoro, Coast, Lindi, Mtwara, Dar es Salaam. In the areas of the north and north-east which gathered two consecutive reduced harvests, the outcome of the 1998 "Vuli" crops will be crucial for food security in the second half of 1998. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is planned to visit the country in January 1998 to appraise the "Vuli" crops at harvest and the early prospects for the main crop season in the south.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
85 |
607 |
3 230 |
3 922 |
|
Normal Imports |
60 |
25 |
- |
85 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
15 |
- |
30 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
93 |
360 |
2 706 |
3 159 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
78 |
535 |
2 671 |
3 284 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
78 |
357 |
2 671 |
3 106 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
15 |
3 |
35 |
53 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
125 |
440 |
3 445 |
4 010 |
|
Food Use |
121 |
416 |
2 879 |
3 416 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
(6) |
(6) |
|
Non-food use |
4 |
24 |
566 |
594 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
32 |
80 |
739 |
851 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
32 |
80 |
663 |
775 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
76 |
76 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
11 |
19 |
- |
30 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
8 |
- |
8 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
6 |
6 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
14 |
94 |
112 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
84 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
1 001 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
253 |
