CHILE (31 May)
Harvesting of 2004/05 maize crop is well advanced in regions VI, VII and VIII and early forecast point to a record output of 1.4 million tonnes. This result is essentially due to the increase in plantings that balanced the decrease in yields that was caused by unfavourable weather condition, characterized in particular by atypical temperatures, at the beginning of the season. Harvesting of 2005 paddy crop has been recently completed and production is officially estimated at 120 000 tonnes, 12 percent less than last five years average due to the impact of low temperatures during the heading phase of early plantings. Planting of 2005/06 winter wheat crop to be harvested by the December is underway and early forecasts point to a reduction in planted area from 420 000 to 360 000 hectares as a consequence of the low domestic wheat prices in 2005 and expectations for better prices for alternative crops such as oats and barley. Import requirements for the marketing year 2005/06 (July/June) are forecast at 725 000 tonnes of maize (mostly yellow), 450 000 tonnes of wheat and 135 000 tonnes of rice.