The bulk of the wheat harvesting operations of the 2002 crop has been completed and output for the year is provisionally estimated at about 190 000 tonnes which compares to the past 5-year average of 163 000 tonnes. Harvesting of the 2002 white maize crop is virtually complete while that of the yellow maize crop is still underway. Large volumes of yellow maize are expected to be harvested in the next two months. Aggregate maize output (white and yellow) in 2002 is tentatively forecast at a well above-average 1.5 million tonnes. Harvesting of the important paddy crop is still to be completed in the main producing departments of the north. The outlook is good, and an average paddy crop of 1.7 million tonnes is expected.
Wheat imports in 2002/03 marketing year (July/June) are forecast to be close to the previous year’s relatively high 1.3 million tonnes, reflecting the steady demand for this commodity, enhanced by population growth. Maize imports are expected to be about 1 million tonnes close to the volume imported in marketing year 2001/02.