FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - ARGENTINA (3 September)
Despite interruptions due to excessive rains, weather conditions have in general favoured harvesting of the 1998 coarse grain crops. Harvesting of the maize crop is virtually completed and a historical high 19.3 million tonnes have been collected. This mostly reflects the excellent yields obtained as a result of the adequate humidity at planting and during the crop development period brought about by El Niño. Harvesting of the sorghum crop has been also practically completed and output is provisionally estimated at a record 3.17 million tonnes.
Planting of the 1998 wheat crop has been virtually completed. The area planted is expected to some 15 percent below last year’s average level, as farmers in the large growing areas, particularly in the important Buenos Aires Province, have been attracted into alternative crops because low wheat prices.
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