FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT Rainfall deficits affect yields of 2026 maize and paddy minor season crop Cereal imports in 2025/26 at above‑average level, although lower year‑on‑year Prices of rice and maize below year‑earlier levels Rainfall deficits affect yields of 2026 maize and paddy minor season crop The harvest of mostly irrigated 2026 minor season maize crop is ongoing, and production is anticipated slightly below average. In March 2026, the Yellow Maize Supply Chain Advisory Council approved the adoption of a pricing band for yellow maize, with the aim of maintaining sustainable prices for farmers as well as for the feeding industry. However, high production costs from rising prices of fuel and fertilizers discouraged planting intentions. Dry weather conditions in key producing coastal provinces of Manabi, Los Rios and Guayas between May and July 2026 hampered sowing operations and crop early‑development stages, curbing yield prospects. On aggregate, maize output in 2026, including the main season maize crop that was harvested in July, is anticipated at below‑average 1.45 million tonnes. This reflects a price‑driven contraction in plantings of the main season crop’s as well as the unfavourable impact of dry weather conditions on yields in the first half of 2026. Planting operations of the 2026 minor season paddy crops concluded in July 2026. Despite the growing domestic demand of rice, lower year‑on‑year prices limited incentives to increase plantings and the area sown is anticipated to be near average. Overall, paddy production in 2026 is expected to be below average, reflecting reduced plantings and adverse dry weather conditions in the main cropping coastal areas, which hampered development of the 2026 main season paddy crop in March and April 2026. Weather forecast for the September to December 2026 period point to a high likelihood of above‑average rainfall amounts, in line with El Niño phenomenon, raising concerns over floods and river outflows which may thre