major commodity for Africa, ·since crude oil represents some 71.6 per cent of total African exports, and may account for as much as 20 per cent of total GDP. 5. Food production in Africa increased by about 2.0 per cent in 1982, compared to 1.7 per cent in 1981. The relatively low qrowth rate in food production in 1981, which persisted into 1982, was due mainly to the lower qrowth rate in cereal produc­ tion. Thus throuqhcut 1982; the food situatioP. re~ained precarious. A total of African countries- Anqola, Benin, Cape Verde, Chad, the Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madaoascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, the Niqer, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uoanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia -had poor harvests and abnormal focd shortaqes last year. These shortaqes, however, partly reflect adverse climatic conditions, and were partly due to inadequate investment in the food produc.tion sector. 6. Consequently, food imports increased still further in 1982. An important element which has contributed to the reqion 's swellinq food import bill is the qrowinq volume of cereal im­ ports. Total cereal imports durinq 1982 are estimated at 15.2 million tonnes, with wheat imports accountinq for almost 58 per cent. Althouqh the share of wheat in total cereal imports seems to be on the decline, as compared to 1980 and 1981, wheat imports appear to have increased in absolute terms. The trend is likely to continue durinq 1983. HC\-lever, in spite of increased food im­ ports, dietary enerqy supplies for most African countries have remained about 6 to 7 per cent below nutritional requirements. The situation is further ccrnplicated by the influx of refuqees and the disabled, the unfortunate victims of Africa's social and political upheavals. Reorettably food aid has failed to keep pace with huma nita ria n needs because of the worseni nq economic 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic situation of Africa, specifically the role of crude oil and food production in the continent's economy. It also touches on the impact of climate conditions and investment on food production, as well as the consequences of food shortages and imports on the region's nutrition and humanitarian situation. This suggests that the text is more focused on economic and humanitarian issues than other categories.

**Category**
Economic development, Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Humanitarian aid and relief