FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - CHILE (1 February)
Weather conditions have benefited the development of the 2001 wheat crop. Harvesting is well advanced and output is tentatively forecast at a near record 1.8 million tonnes. Growing conditions are also adequate for the 2002 maize crop. Harvesting is due to start from March and an average output is provisionally forecast.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2001/02 (December/November) are expected to decline from the previous year’s 580 000 tonnes to some 300 000 tonnes, while maize imports in 2002/03 (February/January) should remain close to the previous year’s volume of 1.1 million tonnes.