October 18, 2005

EU's 2005-06 grain output estimate down 12 percent
 

The EU's 2005-06 grain output forecast has been lowered 12 percent to 252.9 million tonnes from the previous year, according to French analyst Strategie Grains.

EU wheat output is now estimated at 115.1 million tonnes, due to lower forecasts for Britain and Poland but higher German and Czech estimates.

Corn is now put at 46.8 million tonnes, down 800,000 tonnes from September, with Italy and Poland affected most.

Strategie Grains also said that despite an improvement in export prospects to

Mediterranean countries, projected EU exports outside the bloc are down by 400,000 tonnes from the previous month's 9.9 million tonnes.