FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - ECUADOR (6 September)
Winter rains some 30 percent lower than normal affected the development of cereal crops in the Andean provinces of Pichincha, Tungurahua, Azuay and Chimborazo, and yields are expected to be 20 percent lower than last year. Reports indicate that potato crops were not affected and that the yields obtained are average. Elsewhere the weather was adequate for the normal development of crops. Intensive rains during June in Amazonian provinces caused localized floods that affected 6 000 hectares of staple crops of subsistence farmers. The volcano Tungurahua increased its activity early in August and its ash forced the evacuation of approximately 20 000 people and 16 000 head of cattle. Some 6 000 cattle were killed and about 48 000 hectares of pastures and crop lands were damaged in the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo. The international community is providing food assistance to the affected population. The volcanic activity decreased at the end of August and some families are already returning to their homes.
Import requirements in marketing year 2001/02 (July/June) are estimated at 450 000 tonnes of wheat and 200 000 tonnes of maize.