The humanitarian impacts of economic sanctions on Burundi

try indirectly, and thousands <strong>of</strong> small-scale c<strong>of</strong>fee
producers will be directly affected because <strong>of</strong>
lost income. <strong>The</strong> evidence at the moment, however,
is not pointing in this direction. 17
Despite the embargo, c<strong>of</strong>fee was still being exported illegally
in early 1997. <strong>The</strong> sale by OCIBU <strong>of</strong> 3,900 tons <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee in
January and February suggested that illicit routes for c<strong>of</strong>fee export
were by then well-established. If this rate <strong>of</strong> sale (and presumed
export) continues throughout 1997, export levels could approach
those <strong>of</strong> 1995. Whether this would translate into foreign currency
earnings for the regime depends largely on who now controls the
c<strong>of</strong>fee’s sale and export. A resumption <strong>of</strong> exports should benefit
the small producer. Even with illegal export <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee, <strong>sanctions</strong>
were having a continuing and damaging effect on the regime’s
ability to generate foreign currency through the export <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee.
However, this effect appeared to diminish over time.
<strong>The</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>sanctions</strong> on tea production and export generally
mirrored that <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee. <strong>The</strong> export <strong>of</strong> tea fell from 6,700 tons
in 1995 to 4,000 tons in 1996, according to FAO. Since <strong>sanctions</strong>
were imposed, there had apparently been illicit exports by plane
directly to Europe. Production <strong>of</strong> tea was also likely to suffer due
to <strong>sanctions</strong> and the resulting shortage <strong>of</strong> fertilizers and other
inputs. On July 3, the Teza tea factory was destroyed during
fighting. Although it is being rebuilt, <strong>sanctions</strong> are reportedly
slowing its repair. Once again, civil strife joined with <strong>sanctions</strong> to
take a toll.
Livestock
Large herds <strong>of</strong> cattle can still be found, but the role <strong>of</strong>
pastoralism in Burundi has declined due to a reduction in individual
land holdings. In 1994, there were an estimated 380,000
cows, 350,000 sheep, and 850,000 goats. Most settled farmers, on
the other hand, own livestock, usually goats, chicken and ducks.
Animal products provide less than 3 percent <strong>of</strong> the total calories
and protein consumed by civilians.
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