FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 01/00 - EL SALVADOR (3 February)

EL SALVADOR (3 February)

Harvesting of the 1999/2000 third season “apante” maize and bean crops is about to start while harvesting of the second season paddy crop has begun under generally dry weather conditions. Production forecasts point to a satisfactory maize output for the whole year of some 680 000 tonnes, which compares to 555 000 tonnes collected in the 1998/99 season and to the last 5-year average of 563 000 tonnes. By contrast, sorghum output is provisionally estimated at a below-average 147 000 tonnes. Paddy output collected in 1999 was an average 58 000 tonnes, which compares to 50 000 in 1998. Production of beans is also expected to recover from last year’s low 46 000 tonnes and an average 66 000 tonnes is anticipated.

Maize imports in marketing year 1999/2000 (August/July), mostly for the feed industry, is forecast to decrease from 1998/99 import volume of 264 000 tonnes to about 150 000 tonnes.

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