CUBA – Harvesting of the 2014 main season rice crop is currently underway and will be completed by the end of December.
CUBA – Harvesting of the 2014 main season rice crop is currently underway and will be completed by the end of December.Following a good secondary season output and assuming average yields for the crops of the main season still to be harvested, the aggregate 2014 rice production is expected to reach 700 000 tonnes, 4 per cent up from last year’s bumper level and well above the average of the previous five years, reports FAO.
The increase is mainly attributed to a 4 per cent expansion in plantings. The 2014 main season maize production, to be harvested from late September, is forecast to increase as a result of projected higher yields following favourable weather conditions.
Total cereal production is preliminarily forecast at 1 million tonnes, 4 per cent up from last year and 15 per cent above the five-year average.
Cereal imports in the 2014/15 (July/June) marketing year forecast slightly below last year
The country normally imports three-quarters of its cereal consumption requirements, mainly wheat (which is not produced domestically) and rice.
Preliminary forecasts point to cereal imports of 1.9 million tonnes for the 2014/15 (July/June) marketing year, which is 4 per cent down from last year and slightly below average.
The decrease reflects tentative forecast of lower maize and rice imports reflecting this year’s expected higher output.
TheCropSite News Desk
