November 16, 2004

Hungary Sees Need for Grain Exports, Intervention
 
Hungary's combined grain and corn harvest is expected to be at least 16.5 million metric tons in 2004, the highest level in 10 years, leaving 8.5 million for exports, according to the ministry of agriculture.
 
As domestic demand totals eight million, "the surplus can only be managed through exports and intervention," the ministry said in a press release.
 
The ministry's figures show that corn will account for about 8.5 million tons of the total 16.5 million tons.
 
Corn harvesting has gained momentum, but storage problems make it difficult as the record wheat and sunflower seed harvests are still in silos.
 
The ministry provided the following breakdown of estimates:
 
Corn: Record harvest of 1.2 million hectares total, 55%, or 660,000 hectares harvested. Average yield: 7.09 metric tons/hectare, total harvest so far 4.7 million tons.
 
Sunflower seed: Harvest is practically finished. Total acreage: 479,000 hectares.
Average yield: 2.55 metric tons/hectare. Total yield: 1.2 million metric tons.
 
Sugar beet: Harvesting is coming to an end.
Average yield 49.5 metric tons/hectare; total yield 2.65 million metric tons, sugar content per beet is 14%-16%.
 
Autumn barley: Sowing complete. Total acreage: 175,000 hectares.
 
Autumn wheat: Total sowed 950,000 hectares, or 80%. Total expected: 1.2 million hectares.
 
Rye: Sowing complete. Total acreage, as in previous years, 46,000 hectares.