VENEZUELA (7 June)
Normal to abundant rains have favoured plantings of summer maize crop in key producing areas of Portuguesa, Guarico and Barinas. Although maize (mainly white) is planted all year round, the bulk of 2005/06 marketing year plantings is underway. Planting intentions point to 560 000 hectares with a production of about 1.9 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s good result of 2 million tonnes. Harvest of winter paddy crop is underway and production is provisionally estimated at a high 1.2 million tonnes as a consequence of increased planted area in the main growing states of Portuguesa and Guarico. Wheat and maize (mostly yellow for feed industry) imports in marketing year 2005/06 (July/June) are expected to be average at 1.5 million tonnes and 650 000 tonnes respectively.