Havana, August 18 (RHC) -- 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.

The increase is mainly attributed to a four percent 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 favorable weather conditions.

Total cereal production is preliminarily forecast at one million tonnes, four percent up from last year and 15 per cent above the five-year average.