MALAYSIA (4 October)
In general, Malaysia has been relatively dry with most places recording below-normal rainfall in August and the first dekad of September. The national cumulative rainfall from 1 June to 10 September was 10 percent below normal. The dry conditions are worse over Sarawak and Sabah. Planting of the main paddy crop is underway for harvesting from December. Paddy production in 2004 is forecast at 2.1 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s record harvest. A third of domestic consumption of is imported. Practically all wheat and maize requirements are imported. Wheat import is expected to increase slightly to 1.37 million tonnes for 2004, compared to 1.35 million tonnes last year. But maize imports in 2004/05 are expected at 2.55 million tonnes.