ECUADOR (30 September)
Unfavourable dry weather conditions are affecting several areas. In particular, coastal departments are experiencing a reduction in quantity and quality of pastures, with negative consequences on livestock production. The price of milk is already showing an upward trend. Maize and paddy crops have only marginally been affected by the drought because the bulk of their harvest took place between May and July and currently the majority of soils are in fallow period. Some concerns are related to the minor (summer) maize crop (mainly white) production in the inter-Andean departments of Azuay, Chimborazo and Pichincha which is about to be harvested in October. Paddy and maize production in 2005 are tentatively forecast at about 1.3 million tonnes and 670 000 tonnes respectively, volumes slightly above the previous year when plantings were seriously affected by low soil moisture.
While the country is self-sufficient in rice, import requirements for 2005/06 marketing year (January/December) are forecast at 380 000 tonnes of maize and 515 000 tonnes of wheat.