FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 GUINEA-BISSAU 22

GUINEA-BISSAU

Area:

28 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October

Population:

1.16 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: May-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

64 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Abundant and well-distributed rains in September and October favoured crop development. Cumulative rainfall was above normal and soil moisture reserves were sufficient for satisfactory crop development. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission from 11 to 15 October estimated the 1999 cereal production at 138 700 tonnes (rice in paddy equivalent), which is 6 percent above last year's output but remains below the 1997/98 pre-crisis level and below average. Production of coarse grains increased, while that of rice decreased due to flooding and pest attacks.

The overall food supply situation has improved after the conflict. However, some populations are still facing food supply difficulties, notably in urban areas. Repatriation of refugees is underway and displaced persons and returnees are receiving food assistance.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

107

59

166

Normal Imports

6

70

2

78

of which: Structural food aid

2

3

2

7

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

-

54

58

112

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

80

58

139

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

54

58

112

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1999/2000 Utilization

10

141

73

224

Food Use

10

121

53

184

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

-

10

19

28

Exports or Re-exports

-

5

-

5

Possible stock build up

-

5

2

7

1999/2000 Import Requirement

10

87

5

102

Anticipated commercial imports

5

80

-

85

Food aid needs

5

7

5

17

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

-

-

-

-

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

9

105

46

159

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal:

84

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

131

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

243

FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

Area:	28 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.16 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: May-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	64 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	107	59	166
Normal Imports	6	70	2	78
of which: Structural food aid	2	3	2	7
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	-	54	58	112
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	80	58	139
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	54	58	112
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Utilization	10	141	73	224
Food Use	10	121	53	184
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	10	19	28
Exports or Re-exports	-	5	-	5
Possible stock build up	-	5	2	7
1999/2000 Import Requirement	10	87	5	102
Anticipated commercial imports	5	80	-	85
Food aid needs	5	7	5	17
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	9	105	46	159
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				84
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				131
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				243