COSTA RICA (4 August)
Torrential rains and flooding since early June continue to hit some of the Atlantic coastal areas, particularly around the city of Limon. Heavy rains and flooding, resulting in landslides and overflowing rivers, in the first half of July, are also reported in the east-central municipality of Cartago and surrounding areas. The excess rains were principally due to the vicinity of tropical storm “Claudette” in the Caribbean. Damage to urban and rural housing and infrastructure is reported. Emergency relief has been provided by local authorities to affected villagers and urban population. More heavy rains are presently forecast in the weeks ahead, typical of the hurricane season. No considerable damage has been so far reported to the developing 2003/04 cereal and bean crops. Harvesting of the first season maize crop, mostly white, is about to start and output is early forecast at a below-average 12 000 to 13 000 tonnes, closely similar to the 2002/03 crop. Production of paddy in 2003 is anticipated to be an average 280 000 to 290 000 tonnes while that of beans is expected to be a relatively low 16 000 to 17 000 tonnes, similar to the previous year.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2003/04 (July/June) are provisionally forecast at 200 000 tonnes close to 2002/03 imports. Maize imports in 2003/04 (July/June), principally yellow, are also expected to be close to the previous year’s volume of some 565 000 tonnes. Imports of beans should be a relatively high 30 000 tonnes, in response to the strong demand for this staple in the population diet.