VIET NAM (9 February)
Harvesting of the summer-autumn and the Lua Mua paddy crops (or the “tenth month” crop harvested in December-January) has been completed. The paddy rice output in 2003 has been officially estimated at 34.7 million tonnes, marginally up from 2002, despite reports of a prolonged drought in the Northern and Central regions.
Viet Nam in 2003/04 is expected to export 4 million tonnes of rice, 2.8 percent more than the previous marketing year, making the country the world’s second largest rice exporter after Thailand. Viet Nam has targeted 3.5 million tonnes of rice exports in 2004/05.
Harvest of the winter/spring rice crop is due to start from the middle of February in some parts. The crop is the largest of the three rice crops produced each year, contributing about 36 percent of aggregate rice production. Crop conditions are normal.
The northern part of the country is seriously affected by drought, which could potentially destroy 22 000 hectares of rice crops.
According to provincial officials, around 1 400 cows, buffalos and pigs have been reportedly infected with foot-and mouth disease in central Viet Nam, provincial officials. The disease was initially reported in central Quang Nam province in late December, and local authorities have destroyed 84 infected pigs. However, infected cows and buffalos are being treated and some of them have recovered.
Up to February 10, the outbreak of the avian influenza virus has caused 14 human deaths. An estimated more than 14 million chickens have been slaughtered or destroyed.