Harvesting of the 2013 main season rice crop, which accounts for 70 per cent of the aggregate production is well underway and due to be completed by the end of August.
In May, heavy rains were recorded throughout the country, thus concluding the dry season which generally runs from December to April. Despite localized light floods in marginalized lowland areas close to rivers and streams, rainfall conditions during the season benefited food crops, favouring vegetative development.
Higher yields than last year’s same season are anticipated. Planting of the 2013 second season rice crop is ongoing. Assuming normal precipitation in the remainder of the season, the aggregate 2013 rice output is forecast to recover from last year’s poor harvest reaching 860 000 tonnes (570 000 tonnes, milled basis).
Cereal imports in 2012/13 (July/June) remained at average levels
The country is self-sufficient in rice but imports large amounts of maize for animal feed as well as wheat, which is not produced domestically. More recently, the country has also started importing sorghum for feed, which is a cheaper alternative to maize. Imports of cereals in the 2012/13 marketing year (July/June) were estimated at about average levels of 1.5 million tonnes.
Rice and maize prices stable and low
In June, retail prices of rice, the main food product in the national diet, remained relatively unchanged at the same low levels of last year, reflecting the favourable prospects for this year’s main harvest. Similarly maize prices in June also remained stable at last year’s low levels, following the 2013 adequate levels of imports.
