Normal rains benefited planting of the 1999 wheat crop in main growing areas, except in the important province of La Pampa. By the end of August, about 98 per cent of intended planting had been completed. Harvest is due from October and early production forecasts point to an output of about 12 to 12.5 million tonnes, some 12 to 16.6 percent above last year, but still below the five-year average. The increase is principally due to farmers� decision to enlarge plantings in response to improved prices and better export prospects. Harvesting of the 1999 paddy crop has been completed and a record 1.7 million tonnes is provisionally estimated. Lower rice exports, however, are reported than earlier anticipated and high carry-over stocks are expected.
Land is being prepared for planting of the 1999/2000 maize from October.
Harvesting of the 1999 wheat winter crop, mainly in the eastern department of Santa Cruz, has started under generally dry conditions. The area planted declined with respect to last year as a result of delayed and ill-distributed rains. Aggregate wheat output for the year (both crops) is forecast at 141 000 tonnes compared to 164 000 tonnes in 1998. Land is being prepared for planting of the 1999/2000 coarse grains and potato crops from October.
Wheat imports in the 1999/2000 (July/June) marketing year are likely to increase over last year�s 240 000 tonnes, as a result of lower domestic production. In contrast, maize imports should decrease substantially from 1998/99 to around 125 000 tonnes due to recovery in production.
Harvesting of the 1999 wheat crop continues under generally dry weather in main producing southern states. Production is forecast at about 2.3 million tonnes, close to average production last year. Earlier forecasts indicated increased output, in line with government measures, but planting was reduced as farmers in main growing states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul were discouraged by high production costs and prospects of poor weather. Harvesting of the 1999 first season (main) maize crop has been completed as well as planting of second season (�safrihna�) crops in the main producing southern central states. Aggregate maize output is forecast at some 32.4 million tonnes, compared to last year�s low 29.3 million tonnes during which crops were affected by adverse weather. A near-record 1999 paddy crop has been produced. Paddy output is estimated at 11.4 million tonnes, compared to the five-year average of 10 million tonnes.
Normal rains are reported in the Central and Southern regions during the second half of August, benefiting development of the 1999/2000 wheat crop, for harvest from December. Dry weather continues in the north. Despite the rains, accumulated soil moisture for the year continues to be below average. A recovery in wheat production from last year�s drought affected crop is tentatively forecast. Planting of the 1999/2000 maize crop has started. Intended plantings are forecast to improve from last year when the crops were affected by adverse weather.
Normal to above-normal rains are reported in the Pacific and Caribbean coastal areas, as well as in some central and eastern plains. In contrast, dry weather is reported in central and southern parts of the Andean region. Harvesting of the 1999/2000 first season (main) coarse grain crops is well advanced. Maize output for the year is provisionally forecast at about an average 1 million tonnes, while below- average sorghum production is anticipated. Paddy output is expected to be slightly above average.
Wheat imports in the year 2000 (January/December)are forecast at about one million tonnes, similar to 1999. Maize imports are forecast to increase from this year�s 1.4 million tonnes to some 1.5 million tonnes. Rice imports are expected to remain similar to 1999, at around 350 000 tonnes.
Harvesting of the 1999 white maize crop is almost complete, while that of yellow maize is well advanced. Aggregate output is provisionally forecast at a near-average 588 000 tonnes, a slight improvement over last year�s below-average crop, but far from the level of the previous two years. Crops were affected by heavy rains at planting, particularly in coastal areas and the northern and central parts of the Andean region. Paddy production is expected to decline to 1.2 million tonnes from 1.3 million tonnes in 1998.
Wheat imports in 1999/2000 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at about 490 000 tonnes, similar to the previous year. Maize imports are also expected to be close to last year�s 170 000 tonnes.
Harvesting of 1999 wheat is almost complete under generally dry weather. Output is provisionally estimated at a near average 120 000 tonnes, compared to 146 000 tonnes in 1998. Harvesting of the 1999 white maize crop is also near completion, while that of the yellow maize crop is well advanced. Aggregate 1999 maize output is provisionally forecast at some 855 000 tonnes, 8 percent lower than 1998 but still above-average. A bumper paddy crop is anticipated, close to 1998, which was well above-average level.
Planting of the 1999/2000 wheat crop is well advanced under generally dry weather. Harvesting is due from November and early forecasts indicate recovery from 1998/1999, when production was affected by weather. Output is tentatively forecast at an above-average 545 000 tonnes.
Land is being prepared for planting of the 1999/2000 coarse grain and paddy crops to start from October. A recovery in maize production over 1998/999 is also anticipated.
Heavy rains and flooding at the end of August were reported in the eastern, central and southern parts of the country, resulting in damage to housing and infrastructure. A state of emergency has been declared in the worst affected states of Anzoategui, Aragua, Bolivar, Delta-Amacuro, Vargas and Zulia. A detailed assessment of damage has not yet been made. Harvesting of the 1999/2000 coarse grains and paddy crops is underway and near-average outputs are tentatively forecast for maize and sorghum, while production of paddy is expected to be slightly below average.
Wheat imports in the 1999/2000 (July/June) marketing year are forecast at about 1.3 million tonnes, similar to the previous year. Maize imports, mostly yellow, are also expected to remain similar to the 1.3 million tonnes in 1998/99.
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