FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - INDONESIA* (28 May)
Seasonal rainfall benefited planting and development of the dry season crop already started in May. The secondary rice crop is being planted in Sulawasi and is about to start in Sumatra for harvest in July/October. The 2001 paddy output is expected to reach 50 million tonnes, from the 51.1 million tonnes produced last year.
The overall food situation in the country continues to stabilise, following the economic crisis in 1997/98, which was also compounded by a poor agricultural year due to El Niņo related drought. As a result of good domestic production and ample stocks, Indonesia, the world leading rice importer, has announced that it would not import rice in 2001. However, concerns remain for the food and humanitarian situation in parts of the country affected by violent and prolonged civil disturbances.