DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (2 June)
Heavy rains have caused flooding and landslides in the North of the country. Harvesting of 2005 main paddy crop just started in main producing north-eastern and north-western departments and early forecasts indicate an output of about 636 000 tonnes, about 10 per cent above previous year’s output when heavy rains affected planting activities in key producing province of Bajo Yuna. Planting of 2005 main maize crop is well advanced and the area planted is estimated below average. Import requirements for marketing year 2005/06 (July/June) are forecast at 900 000 tonnes of maize and 330 000 tonnes of wheat.