FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 01/00 - BANGLADESH (1 February)
Rainfall during the important aman rice season, (1999/2000) planted around July and harvested in November/December was favourable benefiting crops. By the end of the monsoon season, all areas had received above-average rainfall, compared to only 90 percent with normal/above-normal rainfall in 1998/99. Area planted also increased from around 5.16 million hectares in 1998-99 to 5.8 million hectares, whilst yields are also likely to be higher due to an increase in the area of high yielding varieties planted. As a result, it is expected that the country will exceed the aman target of 9.5 million tonnes (milled) for the current marketing year. Early prospects for the recently planted boro rice crop, for harvest in April/May, however were somewhat affected by pest attacks in parts. The target for boro production has been set at 9.2 million tonnes, lower than actual production last year. Earlier, the final estimate of the 1999/2000 aus rice crop was put at 1.73 million tonnes, some 6 percent higher than the previous season.
Foodgrain production in 1999-2000 is forecast at around 22.4 million tonnes (milled), some 4 percent above last year. The overall food situation is favourable, with the country having the highest level of food stocks in decades due to the bumper rice crops in 1999. Currently governmental rice and wheat stocks are estimated at 1.2 million tonnes As a result official reports indicate that Government imports during 1999/2000 will be negligible whilst a five percent levy has been placed to discourage private imports.
The Government aman procurement target for the current has been set at 250 thousand tonnes. With favourable rice supplies in the country, domestic prices declined in November/ December
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