| 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
The harvesting of the main season crops is underway. Although rains were normal in May and abundant in April in the central and southern parts where rainfall is unimodal, the late start of the season and insufficient precipitation in some areas affected yields adversely. Extensive plantings with short term varieties were undertaken but this did not sufficiently offset the impact of the delay of rains by about a month. As a consequence, yields and production of maize, which accounts for the bulk of the country's cereal production is anticipated to decline. Good harvests are expected in only limited areas, notably in western parts where rains were normal. As a result, aggregate cereal production for the 1997/98 marketing year has officially been forecast at 3.41 million tons, significantly lower than last year's output. Given this reduced production, there will be a substantial shortfall, currently forecast at about 1 million tons. Reflecting this shortfall, the food supply situation has tightened, especially in the north and north-east. Crops in these areas have been reduced sharply by drought conditions. The number of affected persons needing food assistance is reported to have risen to 5.5 million. The situation of some 400 000 refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a big concern.
|
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 |
41 |
352 |
3 092 |
3 485 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
41 |
521 |
3 022 |
3 584 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
41 |
347 |
3 022 |
3 410 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
5 |
70 |
75 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
111 |
407 |
3 182 |
3 700 |
|
Food Use |
107 |
387 |
2 796 |
3 290 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
Non-food use |
4 |
20 |
386 |
410 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
70 |
55 |
90 |
215 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
55 |
40 |
90 |
185 |
|
Food aid needs |
15 |
15 |
- |
30 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
11 |
19 |
- |
30 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
8 |
- |
8 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
3 |
13 |
92 |
108 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
91 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
253 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
100 |