Harvesting of the wheat winter crop (planted in April-May) in the main producing Department of Santa Cruz has been completed and aggregate wheat output in 2002 is provisionally estimated at an above-average 143 000 tonnes. Land is being prepared in the highlands and valleys for planting of the 2002/03 main cereal crops, as well as the important potato and other minor food crops.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are forecast at about 250 000 tonnes, close to the volume imported in the previous year.