FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 01/00 - CUBA (3 February)
Despite some recovery in water reservoir levels due to heavy rains in November, overall, the level of moisture continues to be low in extreme provinces of the country, particularly the south-eastern areas of Camaguey, the southern parts of Las Tunas, central Granma and the northern parts of Guantanamo. Close monitoring of moisture conditions and reservoir levels is required, as the beginning of the rainy season is still some weeks away and planting of the important irrigated paddy crop, as well as of the rainfed maize crop, are due to start from March/April. Dry weather since December has favoured harvesting of the 1999/2000 sugar cane crop, the most important export, and latest official forecasts indicate that between 4.1 and 4.4 million tonnes should be produced, compared to 3.8 tonnes in 1998/1999. Food assistance from the international community continues to be provided to last year�s drought affected population.
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