| Area: | 465 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | months in south to 4 months in extreme north |
| Population: | 13.72 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 650 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate; gateway to Chad |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit |
| Marketing year: | July/June; Lean season: June-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 39 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rains remained abundant and widespread but decreased in July and early August in the south, allowing the harvest of the first maize crop. Cumulative rainfall as of the end of September is above average over the whole country. Harvest of millet and sorghum is drawing to an end in the north, while the second maize crop is growing satisfactorily in the centre. The prospects for the 1997 output are above average. However, african migratory locusts infestations are likely to develop in North Cameroon, from recently reported swarms in southern Chad, and could damage the millet and sorghum crops that are currently harvested.
The cereal import requirement for 1997/98 (July/June) is estimated at 260 000 tons of wheat and rice and 10 000 tons of coarse grains.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
84 |
1 000 |
1 084 |
|
Normal Imports |
210 |
45 |
15 |
270 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
1 |
54 |
1 100 |
1 155 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms)(forecast) |
1 |
80 |
1 080 |
1 161 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
1 |
54 |
1 080 |
1 135 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
211 |
104 |
1 110 |
1 425 |
|
Food Use |
197 |
99 |
876 |
1 172 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
4 |
5 |
234 |
243 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
10 |
- |
- |
10 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
210 |
50 |
10 |
270 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
210 |
50 |
10 |
270 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
Donor-financed purchases for export |
8 |
- |
- |
8 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
14 |
7 |
64 |
85 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
107 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |
