FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - ECUADOR (1 February)
Planting of the 2002 maize crop has been completed virtually in most of the country. An increase in the area planted with respect to the previous year is reported. Harvesting is due to start from May and, assuming normal weather conditions, maize output is expected to increase for the third consecutive year. Planting of the important first paddy crop has been virtually completed in the main producing provinces of Guavas, Loa, Los Rio and Guanaco. Harvesting is due to start from April but the bulk of the crop should be harvested in May. An above-average output is also anticipated.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2001/02 (July/June) should decline from some 494 000 tonnes in the previous year to about 450 000 tonnes, mainly as a result of large carry-over stocks from the precedent year. Maize imports in 2002 (January/December) is forecast to about 200 000 tonnes, close to the volume imported in 2001.