Harvesting of the 1996/97 first season cereal crops is underway. Heavy tropical rains in early July followed by hurricane rains at the end of the month have caused loss of life and serious damage to housing and infrastructure, particularly in the southern part of the country. An assessment of damage to the agricultural sector has not yet been made. The Government has made an appeal for international assistance. Latest official forecasts indicate that maize production, mostly white, should decline from last year’s below-average 30 000 tons to some 28 000 tons. This is largely the consequence of the shortage of credit to farmers. The main paddy crop is expected to be about 190 000 tons, compared to a below-normal 192 000 tons in 1995.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are projected at about 165 000 tons, similar to last year’s. Maize imports, mainly yellow, are provisionally forecast to increase from 270 000 tons to 290 000 tons, despite high international prices. This is largely in response to the steady demand from the animal feed industry. Rice imports in marketing year 1996 (January/December) are expected to be about 50 000 tons, close to the 1995 level.
Abundant rains in eastern and central parts of the country during the first half of June benefited development of the 1996/97 main season paddy (spring) crop. Output for the year (both seasons) is estimated to be similar to last year’s low production of 100 000 tons. This is principally attributed to shortages of fertilizers and other farm inputs. Rainfall also benefited other foodcrops, such as fruits, bananas and citrus. Although the food supply situation is under control, domestic production continues to be insufficient to cover requirement. Some basic food items remain scarce and it is reported that assistance from the international community has been received.
Sugar production, the main foreign exchange earner, which had declined during the last 3 years, recovered significantly in 1995/96. Production has been officially estimated at some 4.45 million tons compared to 3.3 million tons in the previous year.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (21 August)
Normal to abundant rains in July benefited the rainfed crops which have been adversely affected by a dry spell in the previous two months, with possible minor damage to cereal and other food products. Maize and sorghum outputs are nevertheless forecast to increase from last year and be slightly above average. Harvesting of the 1996 main season paddy crop continues. Large water reserves have favoured the crop and output is anticipated to be a slightly above-average 480 000 tons.
The Government intends to import about 250 000 tons of wheat in 1996 (January/December), similar to 1995, despite high international prices, reflecting the strong domestic demand for bread and bakery products. Maize imports are forecast to decline from 710 000 tons to 560 000 tons, mainly as a result of large carry-over stocks and high international prices. Rice imports in 1996 (January/December) are expected to be about 50 000 tons.
Storm rains in early July followed by hurricane winds and flooding at the end of the month have caused loss of life and serious damage to housing and infrastructure, particularly in the western areas of the capital. An assessment of damage to crops has not yet been made. Harvesting of the 1996/97 main season coarse grain and paddy crop has started and early forecasts indicate that maize production, mainly white, for the whole year (both seasons) should be about 644 000 tons, close to last year’s above-average level. Sorghum is still being planted in some parts of the country and early production prospects point to an average output. Paddy production is anticipated to be slightly below average.
Wheat imports in 1996/97 (July/June) are projected to remain close to last year’s relatively high volume of 195 000 tons despite high international prices. By contrast, maize imports are forecast to decline from 180 000 tons to about 130 000 tons, mainly as a consequence of high international prices and large carryover stocks. Rice imports during 1996 (January/December) are expected to be about 14 000 tons.
The Hibiscus Mealy Bug, or Pink Mealy Bug, continues to attack the forest areas of the country, where a large number of dead and dying trees are reported. The risk to food and cash crops has been greatly limited as a result of the pest control measures imposed,
Harvesting of the 1996/97 main season cereal crops, mostly maize, has recently started. Prospects are good and maize output is provisionally forecast at about 1.3 million tons, compared to last year’s 1.1 million tons. The anticipated increase is principally due to considerably larger plantings in response to attractive prices to producers. The minor paddy crop is expected to be about average, similar to the previous year output of 50 000 tons.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are projected to decrease from last year’s 310 000 tons to about 275 000 tons, reflecting high international prices and large carryover stocks. Maize imports are also expected to decrease from 175 000 tons to about 150 000 tons, while rice imports in marketing year 1996 (January/December) should remain close to the 35 000 tons imported in 1995.
HAITI* (20 August)
Harvesting of the 1996 first season maize and sorghum crops
has been completed, while planting of the second season
sorghum crop has been initiated. Early predictions indicate
that aggregate coarse grain output for the whole year should
be about 290 000 tons, compared to last year’s average
297 000 tons. Planting of the second season irrigated paddy
crop has started. Aggregate output is forecast to be close to
the 1995 below average 80 000 tons.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are
forecast to be 250 000 tons, similar to last year’s receipts,
while maize imports are expected to decrease from 30 000 tons
to some 25 000 tons. Rice imports in 1996 (January/December)
are anticipated to be about 100 000 tons.
Normal to abundant rains continue benefiting the development
of the 1996/97 first season cereal crops. Harvesting has
recently started and early forecasts point to an output of
about 600 000 tons, compared to 672 000 tons in the previous
year, but still slightly above average. Lower than average
outputs are anticipated for sorghum and paddy.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are
expected to be about 175 000 tons, close to last year’s
volume. Maize and rice imports are projected to be similar to
the previous year’s receipts of 60 000 tons and 25 000 tons
respectively.
Harvesting of the 1996 wheat crop has been completed. Output
is preliminarily estimated at 3.3 million tons, compared to
last year’s below average crop of 3.5 million tons. The
decline, for the second consecutive year, is due to extremely
dry, hot weather, which has significantly depleted water
reservoirs in main irrigated areas in the states of Sinaloa,
Sonora, Chihuahua and Baja California in the north-west. In
order to meet domestic demand, wheat imports in the first 4
months of the year alone are estimated at 538 000 tons,
which represents 45 percent of imports in 1995. Total imports
are provisionally forecast to increase from 1.3 million tons
to 1.8 million tons.
Planting of the 1996 maize crop is about to be completed.
Early estimates indicate that production should be between
16.5 and 17 million tons, largely depending on the extent of
the area planted to maize since mid-June, as sowing was
delayed because of drought. Sorghum output is provisionally
forecast at between 5 and 5.5 million tons, contingent upon
the state of the crops in the state of Tamaulipas, which
accounts for almost 40 percent of domestic sorghum
production. Recent light rains have brought soil moisture
relief to the crop which had been affected by a severe
drought. Maize imports in the first 6 months of 1996 alone
are estimated at 3.5 million tons, compared to 800 000 tons
during the same period in 1995 when a total of 2.6 million
tons were imported.
Hurricane winds and flooding at the end of July, particularly
in the Región Autónoma del Atlántico have caused loss of life
and severe damage to housing and infrastructure, as well as
to the agricultural sector. An assessment of damage to crops
has not yet been made. The Government has made an appeal for
international assistance. Harvesting of the main season maize
crop has recently started and despite possible hurricane
damage a larger than average output is anticipated. This is
mostly the result of increased plantings. By contrast,
sorghum production is expected to be below average,
reflecting a smaller area planted. An above-average paddy
output is provisionally forecast.
Wheat imports for marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are
projected at about 110 000 tons, similar to the annual volume
imported in the last three years. Maize imports are expected
to decrease from 50 000 tons to about 25 000 tons, mostly as
a consequence of large carryover stocks and high
international prices.
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS (2 August)
Infestation by the Hibiscus Mealy Bug or Pink Mealy bug
continues, but control measures have helped reduce the threat
to food and cash crops.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (2 August)
Pest control measures have helped reduce the threat of the
Hibiscus Mealy Bug or Pink Mealy Bug to food and cash crops;
however, teak plantations and other forest areas continue to
be imperiled by the pest.