| Area: | 4 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December |
| Population: | 407 000 (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 960 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago |
| Logistics: | Port capacity and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, rice, pulses |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 57 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following the first rains in late July on Santiago, Fogo and Brava islands, precipitation became abundant and widespread on all islands only after mid-August, allowing plantings of maize. Rains remained widespread in early September but decreased in mid and late September. In the humid zones, crops are developing satisfactorily: maize is flowering/maturing; beans are in the reproduction stages; vegetables are growing well. In the semi-arid zones, soil moisture is adequate and beans are developing satisfactorily except in some high level areas of Santiago and Santo Antão islands. However, following the late start of the rainy season and subsequent plantings, rains will need to continue to late October and November to allow crops to reach full maturity.
Infestations of grasshoppers have been reported on several islands, notably Santiago and Boa Vista. High concentrations are present in Concelho de Praia on Santiago island where they caused some damage to crops and pastures. Treatment is underway. Insect infestations are also reported locally on Fogo, Santo Antão or Brava islands.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission visited Cape Verde from 27 to 31 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). The Mission estimated 1997 maize production at 1 137 tons, which is close to 1996 already poor crop and well below average. Despite this reduced harvest, the food supply situation is not anticipated to be difficult as the country imports the bulk of its cereal consumption requirement.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
|
Normal Imports |
20 |
20 |
50 |
90 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
10 |
40 |
65 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
- |
3 |
11 |
14 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
3 |
10 |
13 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
20 |
23 |
61 |
104 |
|
Food Use |
19 |
22 |
60 |
101 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
20 |
20 |
50 |
90 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
5 |
10 |
10 |
25 |
|
Food aid needs |
15 |
10 |
40 |
65 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
7 |
16 |
39 |
62 |
|
of which: Delivered |
7 |
8 |
20 |
35 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
47 |
54 |
147 |
248 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
13 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
