Prospects for the 1997 winter wheat crop are favourable, reflecting beneficial weather conditions so far and an increase of some 50 percent in the area planted in northern growing areas of the Serb Republic. Yields are also expected to be higher than in 1996 when higher temperatures before harvest significantly reduced yields. By contrast, in central parts of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation, the area planted, which had increased to well above normal levels during the war period, declined for the second consecutive year. In Tuzla and Zenica, the main agricultural areas of the Federation, wheat plantings were 20 percent and 40 percent lower than in the previous year since these areas do not offer comparative advantages for wheat production.
Land preparation is underway for planting of spring maize from next month. The food security situation continues to improve with recovery in the economy.