ECUADOR* (3 June)
Heavy rains at the end of April have caused flooding and landslides in coastal provinces of Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manbi and Los Rios. Although an official assessment is not yet available, 2005 winter paddy crop which was about to be harvested at the time of flooding has been severely affected, especially in key producing provinces of Guayas and Manabi. At the same time, abundant rainfalls have damaged early plantings of paddy in the lowlands, while they were beneficial in the northern uplands of Los Rios province. Harvesting of the main 2005 winter (yellow) maize crop started at the beginning of April and the bulk of the production is currently being harvested. Improved soil moisture is favouring planting of 2005 summer maize crop in inter-Andean provinces of Cotopaxi, Bolivar, Tungurahua and Chimborazo. While the country is expected to be self-sufficient in rice, import requirements for 2005/06 marketing year (January/December) are forecast at 380 000 tonnes of maize and 500 000 tonnes of wheat.