ECUADOR (19 February)
Production of 2003 rice is estimated at about 1.2 million tonnes. Plantings of the 2004 main (winter) yellow maize and of the main paddy crop in coastal areas have been stopped due to unfavourable weather conditions. In particular, dry weather during the month of January in the departments of Los Rios, Manabi and Guayas caused losses in the area planted to cereals. While a detailed assessment of the situation is being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, normal rains resumed and planting re-started. Although these beneficial rains would allow some hectares of paddy and maize to be re-planted, this will largely depend on the availability of credit. Wheat and maize commercial imports in marketing year 2003/04 (July/June) are expected to be close to the volumes imported the previous year: 400 000 tonnes and 350 000 tonnes respectively.