VENEZUELA (1 October)
Harvesting of 2004/05 marketing year summer maize crop is underway and production (mainly white maize for human consumption) is estimated at 1.4 million tonnes, below last five years’ average of 1.5 million tonnes. This is mainly due to the abundant rains at planting that prevented a significant area to be sown in the key growing state of Portuguesa. Harvesting of the important paddy crop is underway and an above-average output is tentatively forecast. Wheat and yellow maize import requirements for marketing year 2004/05 are expected to increase slightly from the previous year and reach 1.3 million tonnes and 800 000 tonnes respectively.