PERU (26 May)
Harvesting of the 2003 wheat crop is underway, mainly in the southern highlands, where it is grown for direct local consumption. An above-average output of nearly 190 000 tonnes is tentatively forecast. Harvesting of the 2003 white maize crop is nearly completed, while the bulk of the harvesting operations for the important yellow maize crop (about 80 per cent of total domestic maize production) is underway. An above-average maize (white and yellow) output is also provisionally forecast. Harvesting of the important paddy crop continues in the main producing departments of Lambayeque and Piura, in the north, and Arequipa in the south. Output is expected to be close to the average of the past five years.
Wheat imports in 2003 (January/December), mostly for flour and pasta production, are forecast to increase slightly from the relatively high volume of some 1 250 000 tonnes imported in 2002, thus reflecting the strong demand for this staple. The country is the second largest pasta consumer in the sub-region. Imports of maize should stay at the same 2002 year level of 600 000 tonnes, largely to fill the demand from the poultry feeding industry.