August 10, 2009
Global 2009-10 wheat output forecast down to 648.4 million tonnes
Germany-based analytical firm F.O.Licht Friday (August 7) revised down its world 2009-10 wheat production forecast by 0.1 percent from its July estimate to 648.4 million tonnes.
This compares with a record 684.5 million tonnes in 2008-09.
"Wheat production for the 2009-10 season was revised slightly down, but positive weather in recent weeks have improved outlooks in major exporters Russia, Australia, and the EU," Licht said in a statement. "US production has also been increased due to good conditions," it added.
The European Union is now expected to produce 135.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2009-10, up 0.5 percent from the July estimate.
Licht's forecast for US wheat production was revised up 1.4 percent to 57.4 million tonnes and for Russia up 1.8 percent to 57 million tonnes.
Only Canadian wheat production was revised downwards - 11.6 percent from the July forecast to 22.1 million tonnes.
