CUBA* (29 September)
At the beginning of July, category 2 hurricane “Dennis” hit the majority of Cuban territory, in particular Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Villa Clara. Damages to the rural infrastructures and losses of agricultural and livestock production are reported, especially to fruits (mango and citrus), banana, coffee and vegetables sectors. On 20 September, the passage of powerful hurricane “Rita” affected north-western provinces of Pinar del Rio and La Habana, with torrential rains and thunderstorms, accompanied by strong winds. However, despite the positive effect of these abundant precipitations in partially replenishing major dams, the drought situation persists in the eastern provinces of Camaguey, Holguin and Las Tunas. Harvesting of 2005 main paddy crop is underway and production is early estimated at about 580 000 tonnes. This is about 5 percent below previous year’s low output as a consequence of reduced yields due to the limited availability of irrigation water. Low yields are also expected for the first season maize crop for which harvesting operations started recently. Tentative forecast for 2005 maize crop points to about 200 000 tonnes.
Rice import requirements for marketing year 2005 (January/December) are forecast at 750 000 tonnes, same as the volume imported during the previous year. The international community is providing food assistance to some communities in the Eastern provinces affected by the prolonged drought and by hurricane “Dennis”.