FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - HAITI* (11 September)
Harvesting of the 2000/01 first season cereal and bean crops has been completed. The outlook is poor as plantings were delayed and reduced by a severe dry spell which particularly affected large areas of the Central Plateau, the North, the Northeast, the North- west and parts of the Grand 'Anse in the South-west of the country. A detailed assessment of the damage has not been made available, but losses in maize and sorghum production are provisionally estimated at about 30 percent of last year's average output levels. The bean crop grown in the mountains of the North is also reported to have greatly suffered from the drought. Water reservoirs have been reported at below-average levels thus also affecting the irrigated paddy crop in the main producing area of the Artibonite. Prospects are uncertain for other important foodcrops such as roots and tubers, manioc, and also peanuts. Food assistance from the international community continues to be distributed through development projects to some sectors of the population. By early September, some 8 000 tonnes have been delivered so far against pledges of 60 000 tonnes for the 2000/01 marketing year.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2000/01 (June/July) are expected to be closely similar to the previous year's 330 000 tonnes, while commercial maize imports are provisionally forecast to increase from 70 000 tonnes to some 75 000 tonnes. Rice imports in marketing year 2001 (January/December) are provisionally forecast at 170 000 tonnes.
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