The country has been affected by hurricanes “Isidore” and “Lili” at the end of September and early October respectively. Most of the western parts of the country and the Isle of Youth, off the southern coast, were hit by the strong winds and heavy rains and flooding caused by the hurricanes. Considerable damage has been inflicted to housing and infrastructure. Serious damage was particularly incurred to important foreign exchange earning crops such as tobacco and citrus, the latter crop having been seriously affected by hurricane “Michelle” in November 2001. Emergency food assistance from the international community for the duration of 30 days is being provided to some 50 000 people affected by the hurricane. The abundant rains helped offset, however, low moisture levels and contributed refill water reservoirs in other parts of the country. Despite the adverse impact of the hurricanes, the state of the cereal crops, mostly paddy and maize, is reported as generally satisfactory. Harvesting of the 2002/03 first season paddy and maize crops has resumed, following the disruption caused by the hurricanes, and average outputs in 2002 of 281 000 tonnes and 146 000 tonnes respectively are tentatively forecast. Production of paddy is not sufficient to meet domestic demand and rice imports between 470 000 tonnes and 480 000 tonnes should be required in marketing year 2003 (January/December). Maize imports in 2002/03 (July/June) are expected to be about 250 000 tonnes, close to the previous year’s imported volume.