August 8, 2006

Poland to buy 4-5 million tonnes of grain

Poland would have to import 4-5 million tonnes of grain as drought and high temperatures have damaged crops, the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Andrzej Lepper said on Monday (Aug 7).

Lepper said 20 percent of Poland's grain harvest this summer had been ruined by the heatwave currently passing through Europe. However, imports are expected to stablise prices.

Lepper noted that grain purchases were mainly necessary to keep up the animal feed supplies.

Although grain imports could have been avoided if farmers cut their animal stocks, the country would have to import dairy products and meat if it implements the measure, he said.

Although the market would feel the effects of this year's weather he said he would not expect food prices to rise drastically as the government has doled out almost US$164 million in farm aid.