Harvesting of the 1997 main season cereal crops has started under normal conditions. Early forecasts indicate that aggregate cereal output should be about 3.4 million tons, compared to last year 3.3 million tons, but nevertheless below the last 5-year average. Maize output is expected to be an average 1.1 million tons, but sorghum production is anticipated to decline from a below-average 540 000 tons in 1996 to some 500 000 tons. The paddy crop, by contrast, should be about 1.7 million tons, some 5 percent up from the previous year and about average.
Maize imports in marketing year 1997/98 (January/December) are anticipated to be close to last year 1.1 million tons. About 80 000 tons of rice should be imported in order to cover the strong domestic demand.