BOLIVIA (30 May)
Heavy rains at the end of March in Larecaja, in the Department of La Paz, in the northwest, resulted in landslides with severe damage to village housing. About 700 families are reported to be affected. Relief assistance from international organizations in collaboration with local authorities has been provided. Harvesting of the summer wheat crop (planted in October/November 2002) has been completed in the main producing eastern Department of Santa Cruz, while planting of the winter crop for harvesting from September is well advanced. Early forecasts indicate that an average wheat output (both crops) will be collected. Harvesting of the 2003 first maize crop, planted in the fall of 2002, has been virtually completed and a good output collected, while planting of the 2003 second season crop is about to start. An above-average maize output (both crops) is early forecast.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2003/04 (July/June) are forecast to remain similar to the level of 250 000 tonnes imported in the previous year.