FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (1 February)

Harvesting of the 2001/02 second season coarse grain crops is well advanced, and average maize and sorghum outputs are anticipated. Harvesting of the second season paddy crop has been virtually completed. A bumper paddy crop of about 620 000 tonnes in 2001 is provisionally estimated. Satisfactory outputs of beans, roots and plantains have also been collected.

Wheat imports in marketing year 2001/02 (July/June) should increase from the previous year’s 305 000 tonnes to some 320 000 tonnes, while maize imports, mainly yellow, should be about 700 000 tonnes, reflecting the strong demand from the feed grain industry and trade with neighbouring countries. Rice imports in marketing year 2002 (January/December) are forecast to increase slightly from the 40 000 tonnes imported in 2001.