FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/00 - ARGENTINA (2 June)
Planting of the 2000 wheat crop has started in the main producing Buenos Aires province, following weeks of heavy rains and days of high winds. Early official forecasts indicate that plantings should increase slightly from 1999 average level.
Harvesting of the 1999/2000 maize crop, currently underway, has been frequently disrupted because of the adverse weather. By end-May, about 60 percent of plantings had been harvested compared to 69 percent by the same time the year before. Reduced yields and quality are anticipated. Production of maize is provisionally forecast at about 14.7 million tonnes which compares to the last 5-year average of 14 million tonnes; however, the final outturn will largely depend upon the weather pattern. Harvesting of this year�s paddy crop continues and production is expected to decline significantly from last year�s record. This is the result of anticipated reduced exports to neighbouring countries. A slightly below-average one million tonnes is forecast.
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