ARGENTINA (30 May)
Planting of the 2003 wheat crop is about to start in the main producing central and southern areas of the country. The intended area planted is provisionally forecast at 6 to 6.3 million hectares which compares to the past 5-year average of 6.2 million hectares. More intensive use of fertilizers than in 2002 is expected this year. Wheat producers were uncertain last year about the market and largely abstained from the purchase of farm inputs, leading the lowest wheat output since the 1996/97 campaign. Heavy rains in recent weeks disrupted harvesting operations of the 2003 maize crop. About 74 per cent of the crop had been harvested by mid-May. Production is expected to be about 15 million tonnes, an increase over last year’s 14.7 million tonnes but some 1 million tonnes below the average of the past 5 years. This is mainly the result of reduced plantings. Production of sorghum is expected to be slightly below average in 2003. Paddy output this year is provisionally estimated at 770 000 tonnes, which compares to the 5-year average of 1 million tonnes. The decline is principally due to below-average plantings, largely reflecting farmers’ decision to switch to more profitable crops. Relief programmes of the government, in collaboration with international welfare organization, have helped alleviate the tight food supply situation that parts of the population were facing due to the difficult economic problems which have affected the country.