| Area: | 111 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north |
| Population: | 5.57 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 370 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-June |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 37 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
After the start of the rainy season in late March, rainfall was widespread and abundant in April, May and June. Well above average rainfall occurred in April over the centre and in June over the south of the country. Flooding occurred in June in Cotonou and Porto Novo. Precipitations decreased in July and early August and stopped in some areas, allowing the harvest of the first maize crop in the south. They resumed and became widespread in mid August and in September. The vegetation index from satellite imagery shows normal to above normal vegetation in September. The second maize crop is growing satisfactorily, while millet and sorghum are currently harvested in the north. Prospects for the 1997/98 output are good in Atacora province, mixed in Borgou, and about normal in the southern part of the country. Areas planted for the first growing season show below normal maize planted areas, and well above normal areas planted with other crops, notably millet, sorghum, rice and yams.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Following the harvest of yams and the first maize crop, prices have decreased on the markets which are adequately supplied. The Government is setting up a security stock of about 1 000 tons of maize and assisting the creation of on-farm stocks. Maize, yams, gari (processed yams) are sold to Niger. There are about 11 000 Togolese refugees remaining in Benin. The cereal import requirement for 1997 (January/December) is estimated at 190 000 tons (including re-exports), mostly wheat and rice, of which 16 000 tons of food aid.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
12 |
605 |
617 |
|
Normal Imports |
50 |
150 |
8 |
208 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
4 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
- |
16 |
650 |
666 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
18 |
650 |
668 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
11 |
650 |
661 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
5 |
- |
5 |
|
1997 Utilization |
45 |
156 |
655 |
856 |
|
Food Use |
45 |
83 |
492 |
620 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
3 |
133 |
136 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
70 |
25 |
95 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
45 |
140 |
5 |
190 1/ |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
134 |
- |
174 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
6 |
5 |
16 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
6 |
11 |
8 |
25 |
|
of which: Delivered |
6 |
7 |
8 |
21 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
8 |
15 |
88 |
111 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
108 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
91 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
