December 22, 2003

Turkish 2003 Corn Output Up

Turkey's 2003 corn increased by 600,000 metric tons from last year to 2.8 million metric tons, agriculture minister Sami Guclu said in a statement on Friday.

The statement said the grains authority TMO has so far bought 380,000 tons corn from local producers and has 372,000 tons in stock.

It added that for increased animal feed supply the TMO will sell corn interest free for 150-day repayments.

Turkey's animal feed demand is expected to rise in January due to a religious holiday in February.

Earlier in December TMO said that it will import up to 250,000 metric tons of feed barley to ease the animal feed demand but didn't say when the tender will be held.