June 10, 2010

Global grain production may reach 1.60 billion tonnes

Global grain output is forecasted to be at 1.60 billion tonnes in 2010-11 period due to expected increase in production in the US, South America and Australia, according to Germany-based analytical firm, FO Licht.

Licht adjusted wheat and corn harvests higher for the 2010-11 crop marketing year. The global corn crop at about 804 million tonnes will be the largest on record; wheat production at 658.8 million tonnes will be the third largest of all time, the firm said.

The firm previously forecast in May a 1.2% drop in global grain production to 1.59 billion tonnes for the year ending June 30, 2011 compared with 1.61 million tonnes in the current 2009-10 marketing year.

Global grain production is now expected to slip 0.4% in 2010-11. In Europe, crops have been revised down modestly due to adverse weather, including overly wet conditions in the east, and dry areas in France.