NICARAGUA (1 June)
Moderate to heavy rainfall have characterized the start of the 2005 rainy season. During the third week of May, the tropical storm “Adrian” caused heavy rains in some northern and north-eastern departments. Planting of 2005 first season cereal and bean crops is underway and official sources forecast an increase of about 12 percent in planted area. Harvesting of the small 2004/05 third “apante” season maize crop has been recently completed and the aggregate 2004 maize crop output is expected at about 440 000 tonnes. This result is well below the 2003 record production of 580 000 tonnes as a consequence of the prolonged dry period that caused about 25 per cent loss of planted area during the important first season maize crop. Unfavourable dry weather conditions during the first season crop and reduced plantings in the important third ‘apante’ season crop affected also the production of beans, an important staple food, and aggregate 2004 production is estimated at low 173 000 tonnes. Import requirements in marketing year 2005/06 (July/June) are forecast at 125 000 tonnes of wheat, 90 000 tonnes of maize and 125 000 tonnes of rice. Food assistance continues to be provided by the international community to the most vulnerable groups and school children in Central and Northern Atlantic Regions.