FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - HONDURAS (28 May)
Planting of the important first season maize crop has started and will continue until July. This normally accounts for more than 80 per cent of the total production. The area planted is expected to be normal due to the timely start of the rainy season. Planting of first season paddy started in March and a slight increase in area planted is anticipated. A new price for paddy has been agreed between farmers and the milling industry, which aims at fostering production in the current agricultural campaign (paddy production never recovered from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 when output fell by almost two thirds).
Wheat import requirements in marketing year 2001/02 (July/June) are forecast at about 200 000 tonnes. Maize imports in the current marketing year 2000/01 (July/June) should reach about 160 000 tonnes and a similar volume is forecast for next year.