FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - CUBA (28 May)
Heavy rains in May benefited flowering coffee plants, but forced the country to stop the harvest of 2001 sugar cane which was earlier affected by drought. Cuba’s sugar cane crop is now expected to yield 3,6 million tonnes, compared to 4,1 million tonnes last year. Paddy production is expected to be higher than last year, as moderate rain over Pinar del Río, La Habana and Matanzas partially recovered water reservoirs. The drought is not over despite the rains, and monitoring of water stress will be required throughout 2001 due to the accumulated water deficit.
Rice imports in marketing year 2001 (January/December) are forecast to remain unchanged from last year at 400 000 tonnes.