HONDURAS* (12 May)
Heavy rains and flooding along the Atlantic coast at the end of April caused some damages to housing. Planting of 2004/05 marketing year first season cereal and bean crops started with the arrival of the rainy season and will continue until July. Due to subsidies to agricultural inputs, 2004 paddy production is expected to remain at the same level of 19 000 as the previous year. Assuming normal weather conditions, 2004 maize production is tentatively forecast at 533 000 tonnes, slightly more than the previous year’s good output. Wheat and maize import requirements in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at about 260 000 tonnes and 275 000 tonnes respectively.
Food assistance is being provided by the international community, especially to families in municipalities with over 50 percent of chronic malnutrition.