PHILIPPINES (5 June)
Harvesting of the secondary rice and maize crops is underway. Paddy production in 2003 is estimated at 13.5 million tonnes, up 2.3 percent from the previous year due to a larger area. Maize production in 2003 is estimated at 4.61 million tonnes, 6.7 percent above the previous year.
Wheat, rice, and maize import requirements in 2003/04 are estimated at 3.2 million tonnes, 1.1 million tonnes, and 0.4 million tonnes, respectively.
Tropical storm Chedeng has killed 18 people in the Philippines and caused damage worth some US$ 630 000. However, there was no damage to the rice crop as harvesting had just finished. The storm brought an end to a long dry spell caused by the El Niņo phenomenon.