January 27, 2004

Argentina's 2003-04 Wheat 99.7% Collected

Argentina had collected 99.7% of their 2003-04 wheat crop, up from 99.4% a week ago, according to the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange.

A total of 5,459,700 hectares have been collected so far, putting production at 13,414,220 metric tons. This is up from the 12.16 million tons produced in 2002-03, according to the exchange.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated 2003-04 Argentine wheat output at 12.5 million tons.

The Agriculture Secretariat has estimated 2003-04 output at 13.2 million tons, compared with 12.3 million tons last year.

Though year-on-year output is up because of the better yields, collectable area, currently estimated at 5.475 million hectares, is down from 5.83 million in 2002-03.

The average yield nationwide last week was 2.46 tons per hectare, up a bit from 2.45 tons a week ago, according to the exchange.

Argentina will produce "at least" 13.5 million tons of 2003-04 wheat, the exchange estimated.