MEXICO (1 October)
Harvesting of the 2004/05 important rain-fed spring/summer maize crop is about to start and output is tentatively estimated at 16.5 million tonnes, similar to previous year’s output of the same season. Harvesting of the 2004 summer sorghum crop just started in the state of Sinaloa and early forecast point out to a total 2004 sorghum production of 6.7 million tonnes, well above the last five years average output of 6 million tonnes. Harvesting of the main 2004 paddy crop (mainly rain-fed) is about to start in the main producing states of Veracruz and Campeche and output is forecast at the average level of 303 000 tonnes. Land is being prepared for planting of the 2004/05 winter wheat crop in the irrigated areas of the northwest. Imports in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are expected to be about 5.4 million tonnes of maize, 4.0 million tonnes of wheat and 3.2 million tonnes of sorghum. Rice import in marketing year 2004/05 are estimated at 500 000 tonnes.