May 23, 2005

Argentina has record wheat exports

Argentina's wheat exports in 2004-05 were seen to double to 8.7 million, said the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food ministry. In contrast, the country exported 4.5 million tonnes of wheat during the 2003-2004 harvest.

Argentina expects to end the 2004-05 season with a wheat harvest of some 16 million tonnes, or 10 percent above the previous harvest.

According to official figures, some 10.5 million to 11 million tonnes of the harvest were available for export, with about 2 million tonnes awaiting sale.

Sales to North Africa, at 2 million tonnes, were particularly strong with Egypt emerging as the main buyer during the last quarter of 2004.

Brazil is still the biggest export market for Argentine wheat, despite having a record harvest of 6 million tonnes.