GUATEMALA* (12 May)
Torrential rains damaged houses and infrastructure in the province of Huehuetenango at the beginning of April. Rains are forecast to be above normal in most of the country for the period May to July. Planting of the 2004/05 first season cereal and bean crops started with the arrival of the first rains at the end of April. Weather forecasts are favourable and cereal and bean production is expected to be similar to last five-year average. Wheat import requirements in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at about 550 000 tonnes, similar to the previous year. Maize imports are anticipated to increase from previous year’s 620 000 tonnes to 660 000 tonnes.
In coordination with the recently launched governmental programme “Anti-Hunger Front”, food assistance continues to be provided by the international community to the municipalities that are most vulnerable to food insecurity.