GUATEMALA* (1 October)
Harvesting of 2004/05 first season crops has been virtually completed. White maize and bean production has been affected by a prolonged ‘canicula’, the dry period that usually takes place in August during the rainy season, which this year extended its duration from the normal 2-3 weeks to 30-40 days. The most affected departments were Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez in the south-west and El Progreso, Zacapa and Chiquimula in the east. In particular, the adverse weather conditions affected those farmers that, due to late arrival of the rainy season, had to postpone maize plantings until the second half of May. Unofficial early forecast of 2004 maize production were pointing at 1 million tonnes, but the negative effects of the dry weather would imply a further downward revision of these figures. Wheat import requirements in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast to be about 550 000 tonnes, similar to the previous year. Maize imports are anticipated to increase from previous year’s 620 000 tonnes to 660 000 tonnes.
In coordination with the government programme “Anti-Hunger Front”, food assistance continues to be provided by the international community to the municipalities that are most vulnerable to food insecurity.