Again in 2002, torrential rains, floods and tropical storms caused extensive damage to private property and infrastructure and loss of more than 200 lives, notably in the provinces of the mountainous north and in the southern Mekong Delta. Local relief organizations are providing assistance to the most seriously affected populations.
Harvesting of the summer-autumn crop is almost completed, while that of the 10th month crop will continue into January 2003. The outlook for these crops is mixed. Some losses to the summer-autumn crop due to flooding were reported from the Mekong Delta, while dry conditions in July in central parts of the country affected several thousand hectares of paddy fields. These dry conditions also disrupted sowing and early development of the 10th month crop. While there is still uncertainty about the final outcome of these two secondary crops, with an excellent outturn from the main winter-spring crop harvested in July, the aggregate 2002 paddy production is tentatively forecast at 33.6 million tonnes (22.4 million tonnes of milled rice), which is a record. Meanwhile, planting of the 2003 winter-spring paddy crop is about to commence.
The latest estimate of the 2002 maize crop is 2.3 million tonnes, 6 percent above the previous year. This increase reflects favourable growing conditions and a larger area planted. The country does not produce wheat.
During the first months of 2002, rice exports were sharply down compared to the previous year. As a result, the forecast tonnage for export in 2002 has been adjusted downwards and now stands at 3.2 million tonnes, the lowest for the past 6 years.