FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - ECUADOR (30 May)
Heavy rains and flooding along the coastal areas have stopped since mid-May, following weeks of incessant precipitation which resulted in severe damage to housing and infrastructure. It is officially reported that more than 27 000 people have been affected by the rains and over 2 000 have been left homeless. A state of emergency in the coastal provinces was declared by the government. Some damage to the agricultural sector is also reported, mainly to paddy, coffee and cocoa crops. Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop is underway and early production forecasts point to an increase from last year’s 400 000 tonnes to an average 510 000 tonnes. The paddy crop is currently being harvested and output in 2002 is also anticipated to decline from 1.4 million tonnes to some 1.3 million tonnes which is still about average.