Heavy rains in the large maize growing areas of eastern Buenos Aires disrupted harvesting operations of the 2002 maize crop and caused localized flooding. Heavy rains were also reported in the central and northern parts of the country. The rains, nevertheless, brought some relief to the crops which had been affected by seasonably dry weather. By mid-May, about 68 per cent of the crop had been harvested, compared to 63 per cent by the same time the year before. Latest official forecast indicates a 2002 maize output of some 13.5 million tonnes, an improvement over an earlier estimate, but well below the average of the past 5 years. The decline is mainly the consequence of intensive rains at sowing, resulting in reduced plantings, and weeks of dry weather during the developing period which affected yields.
Planting of the 2002 wheat crop has started. The intended area planted is officially forecast to be slightly less than that of 2001, largely reflecting the credit constraints to the sector in the face of the economic and financial situation still affecting the country.
Harvesting of the 2002 first (main) cereal and potato crops has been completed and land is being prepared for planting of the second season wheat and coarse grain crops, principally in the eastern Department of Santa Cruz. Yields from the first crops were good in those areas in the highlands and valleys not affected by the adverse weather at planting (February).
Increasing soil moisture due to normal to abundant rains are benefiting planting of the 2002 wheat crop. Considerably enlarged plantings compared to 2001 are reported in the main producing states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sud and Santa Catarina. An early official production forecast points to a well above-average output of 3.8 million tonnes. This is mainly the result of the government’s recent incentive programme for farmers, motivated in part by the likelihood of higher wheat import prices (about 7.2 million tonnes of wheat imports are anticipated in 2002). Recent rains extending from Rio Grande do Sud to southern Parana have helped improve growing conditions of the second season maize crop (“zafrinha”), previously affected by weeks of dry weather. The dry weather, by contrast, favoured harvesting operations in the more northerly maize growing areas, where harvesting of the second season crop had already started. A bumper second season maize crop is anticipated. Aggregate maize output in 2002 is provisionally estimated at an above-average 36 million tonnes. This is principally due to increased plantings of almost 29 per cent with respect to last year. Harvesting of the 2002 paddy crop has been completed and a high above-average crop of 11.0 million tonnes is provisionally estimated.
Heavy rains and flooding in early June have caused a number of victims and affected more than 170 000 people across the country. Some 6 000 have lost their homes. It is officially reported as one of the worst floodings in memory.
Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop has been virtually completed and a below-average output is provisionally estimated. Maize imports in marketing year 2002/03 (February/January) are forecast to increase from the previous year’s 1.1 million tonnes to about 1.2 million tonnes.
Land is being prepared for planting of the 2002/03 wheat crop to be harvested from December.
Normal to above-normal precipitation in April has benefited planting of the 2002/03 first season cereal crops starting from May. The area planted to wheat is expected to remain similar to that of the previous year’s average, while that of maize, the main cereal, is forecast to increase from 2001 in response to the government’s technical and extension support programme for farmers. Planting of the 2002 rainfed and irrigated paddy crops is well advanced, particularly the rainfed crop, and intended plantings are forecast to be similar to the 2001 slightly above-average crop. Production of rice will not be enough to meet domestic demand for this important staple and some 120 000 tonnes will be required as imports in 2002.
Food assistance from the international community is being provided in various parts of the country to the internally displaced population, victims of the civil strife affecting the nation.
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.
The bulk of the 2002 wheat harvesting operations in the highlands is underway, where most of the domestic output is grown by small farmers for their own direct consumption. Early forecasts indicate an above-average output of some 190 000 tonnes. Harvesting of the 2002 white maize crop has been virtually completed while harvesting of the yellow maize crop is at its peak. Output from both crops, mainly grown along the coast and on the eastern slopes of the mountain range, is forecast at a near record 1.5 million tonnes which compares with the past 5-year average of 1.1 million tonnes. The increase is largely due to the government’s support programme to farmers, in an effort to substitute imports with local crops and enhanced by favourable weather conditions. Harvesting of the important paddy crop is underway. Most of the crop is irrigated, largely grown by small producers, with main producing areas located in the departments of Lambayeque and Piura, in the north, and Arequipa in the south. Production in 2002 is anticipated to be a well above-average 2.1 million tonnes.
Wheat imports in 2002/03 are expected to increase from the previous year’s 1.3 million tonnes to about 1.4 million tonnes, in response to population growth and mainly for pasta consumption. Despite the increase in production, maize imports should stay at the same high level of the previous year, when about 1 million tonnes were imported. Rice imports in 2003 (January/December) are forecast at 50 000 tonnes.
Planting of the 2002 wheat and barley crops, for harvesting at the end of the year, is about to start and the area planted for each is expected to remain close to last year’s. Harvesting of the 2002 maize crop has been completed and an above-average output of some 260 000 tonnes, similar to 2001, is provisionally estimated. By contrast, output from the recently harvested paddy crop is provisionally estimated at a low 800 000 tonnes, largely as a consequence of reduced plantings with respect to the previous year.
Following weeks of dry weather, recent precipitation has improved conditions for planting of the 2002 coarse grain and paddy crops currently underway. Reduced plantings are, nevertheless, anticipated for maize (white) and paddy, the main crops, compared to 2001 average levels.
Imports of wheat in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are expected to remain at last year’s level, while maize imports are likely to increase from the previous year’s 1.1 million tonnes. However, import restrictions in view of the economic difficulties being faced by the country could be a strong constraint and eventually limit intended volumes.