COSTA RICA (1 October)
Harvesting of the 2004 first season cereal and bean crop is underway under normal weather conditions, while in some areas planting of the second season crops just started. Output of the main paddy crop is estimated to be reduced at 200 000 tonnes. This is essentially due to the presence of the rice mite “Steneotarsonemus spinki” that was responsible for the reduction of about 20 per cent of paddy production in the provinces of Limon and Guanacaste. In the latter province, to break the cycle of this mite, which is able to survive only on the rice plant, sowing of the second season irrigated paddy crop has been regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and it is not allowed to start before December 1st. Minor maize crops are anticipated to be about 15 000 tonnes, a reduction of about 10 percent compared to previous year, reflecting reduced plantings. The country has a structural deficit of maize and wheat, and requirements in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at about 600 000 tonnes of maize and 205 000 tonnes of wheat.