April 18, 2012

Spain's 2012 winter grain harvest may drop 24%

Spain's Agriculture Ministry said Tuesday (Apr 17) that the country's winter grain harvest this year may be 24.6% less than it did in 2011, which may substantially increase the country's hefty grain imports in the 2012-13 market year.

The ministry said the forecast was very preliminary, as it was based on data culled by the end of February.

Farmers say rain so far in April may relieve the effects of a long drought in the northern grain belt, but crop damage may be irreversible in many southern regions.