Improved weather conditions have benefited the growth of the 2001/02 maize crop following a period of intensive rains at planting (October-December), which resulted in a significant reduction in plantings, and weeks of dry weather in February which adversely affected the developing crop. Harvesting is underway in the main growing areas in northern Buenos Aires province, Santa Fe and Córdoba and maize yields so far are higher than earlier anticipated. By end March, about 15 per cent of the total maize crop had been harvested. Maize output is presently forecast at about 12.5 million tonnes, an improvement over earlier estimates but still below the average of the past 5 years. Weather conditions also favoured development of the paddy crop. Harvesting is underway and an average crop is forecast.
Normal weather conditions were reported in March, following heavy rains and flooding in February which affected the development of the 2002 first (main) cereal and potato crops, particularly in the main grain producing eastern department of Santa Cruz. Field operations have consequently been resumed. Harvesting is about to start and the outlook at present is uncertain for the outcome of those crops which were affected by the harsh weather.
Planting of the 2002 wheat crop has started in the main producing southern areas. Intended plantings in the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul are expected to expand due to higher minimum wheat prices established by the government. Non-wheat producing states, such as Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Sao Paulo are also expected to plant, attracted by the newly improved minimum prices fixed by the government. Overall, wheat production in 2002 is officially forecast at an above-average of nearly 3.7 million tonnes. Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop is underway. Output is forecast to decline from last year’s record mainly due to significant losses in the large producing states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, caused by dry weather during the developing period, principally December and January. Another contributing factor to the decline was the decision of many producers to shift in favour of soybean production. To compensate for these losses in overall maize production, the government intends to encourage farmers increase their second season crop (“safrihna”) plantings. An above-average production is forecast for 2002 but short of 2001 record of 41.5 million tonnes. Harvesting of the 2002 paddy crop is well advanced and production is tentatively forecast at an average 7.7 million tonnes (milled), 11 percent above the 2001 crop.
Harvesting of the 2001 wheat crop has been completed and output collected is provisionally estimated at an above-average 1.8 million tonnes. Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop has started and production is early forecast at a slightly below average level of some 676 000 tonnes.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2001/02 (December/November) are expected to fall from 2000/01 (December/November) volume of 580 000 tonnes to some 300 000 tonnes. Maize imports in marketing year 2002/03 (February/January) should remain close to the previous year’s volume of 1.1 million tonnes.
Harvesting of the 2001 second cereal crops has been completed and average to above-average outputs of wheat and maize respectively have been collected. A slightly above-average output of paddy has also been harvested. Planting of the 2002 cereal crops is about to start and expanded plantings are tentatively forecast, mainly as a result of government incentives and favourable weather conditions.
Food assistance from the international community is being provided to the internally displaced population, victims of the civil strife affecting the country.
Heavy rains and flooding and resulting landslides, in late February and the early half of March, along the coastal areas of the provinces of El Oro, Guayas and Manabi, have inflicted death to a number of people and left more than 400 families temporarily homeless. Relief and food assistance from the international community has been provided to the affected population. Harvesting of the paddy crop in the stricken areas has been disrupted while the start of the harvesting operations of the maize crop has been delayed. An assessment of damage has not been available yet, but it is reported that some losses might have been incurred to the crops. Both crops had been earlier affected by dry weather late in 2001 and beginning of this year. Damage to the important coffee crop is also reported. The Government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas.
Heavy rains and flooding in northern parts, particularly in the Department of Piuras, have affected thousands of people and left hundreds homeless. It is officially reported that the paddy and cotton crops have suffered some damage. Planting of the 2002 wheat crop has been completed and harvesting is due to start from May. A modest increase in the area planted compared to 2001 is reported. Production is forecast early at an above-average 190 000 tonnes. The bulk of the white maize crop has been planted (August – December 2001) and a small decline in the area planted with respect to 2001 is reported. A decline in yellow maize plantings for the same period is also being reported. Yellow maize, as well as white maize, are planted virtually all year around, although the bulk of sowing operations for the latter type is concentrated from August to January. Yellow maize plantings in the following months are nevertheless expected to increase and exceed the above-average level reached in 2001. The area planted to irrigated paddy for the same period August– December 2001 shows a significant increase with respect to 2001 and represents, on the average, about 40 per cent of the annual plantings. An increase in total plantings relative to 2001 is presently forecast.
Land is being prepared for planting of the 2002 wheat crop and the area planted is expected to increase slightly with respect to the 2001 crop. Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop is well advanced and output is tentatively forecast at a near-average level. Harvesting of the important paddy crop is underway and production is forecast to be close to last year’s below- average output of about 1 million tonnes.
Planting of the 2002 coarse grain and paddy crops has only started and the intended area planted should be close to the average of the past 5 years, while that of paddy is expected to decline from the 2001 average level.