May 24, 2005

Spain's 2005 wheat crop weighed down by severe drought

Spain's wheat harvest will be sliced by 29 percent in 2005, no thanks to the worst drought on record in the country.

However the harvest could be even grimmer as the Agricultural Ministry's estimates were based on data collected in March, and high temperatures and a lack of rain have continued to cause crop damage, said farmers.

The situation was aggravated with Spain having had only light, scattered rain in some areas in April and May, the period when crops need ample water to grow.

In its first estimate of this year's crop, the ministry said the wheat harvest was seen at 5.06 million tonnes, compared with 7.11 million in 2004.