FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/99 - GUATEMALA (22 February)
Harvesting of the 1998/99 second season cereal and bean crops is about to be completed. Latest official forecasts put aggregate coarse grain production, mostly maize, at a below- average 1.1 million tonnes, mainly due to reduced plantings coupled with the effects of hurricane “Mitch” in late October. This is nevertheless a recovery from last year’s El Niño affected crops, when only 920 000 tonnes of coarse grains were harvested. (About 85 percent of the 1998/99 first season maize crop had been collected when the hurricane struck thus losses were minimized). Damage was also inflicted to the paddy and beans crops, particularly to the latter. Noticeable increases in consumer prices for beans were registered in the aftermath of the hurricane, but prices were shortly stabilized mainly as a result of imports from northern neighbouring countries. Major damage to roads and bridges have been repaired thus allowing foreign exchange earning coffee exports to resume. Overall exports for current 1998/99 crop are expected to decline by more than 20 percent compared to 1997/98. Food aid to around 65 000 people continues to be distributed. Programmes for agricultural rehabilitation and reconstruction of major infrastructure have been initiated.
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