March 31, 2004

Argentina's January Wheat Exports Up 11%
 
Argentina exported 1,020,975 metric tons of wheat in January, or 11% more than the 919,648 tons shipped during the same month a year ago, the latest Agriculture Secretariat show.
 
The No. 1 destination in January was Brazil, which bought 567,776 tons of wheat, compared with 732,697 tons a year earlier.
 
But as exports to Brazil declined, Argentina shipped more wheat to more countries than it did a year ago. In January, Argentina exported wheat to 14 countries, compared with only seven countries a year ago.
 
Kenya ranked second as the biggest buyer of Argentine wheat in January, accounting for 158,787 tons compared with none year earlier.
 
Morocco came in third with 84,503 tons against none a year ago.
 
Exports are up along with production, according to Secretariat data.
 
Argentina produced an estimated 14.5 million tons of 2003-04 wheat, compared with only 12.3 million tons the previous year.