Global farmers shun from wheat sowing amid falling prices

Higher inputs costs and falling global wheat prices may force some farmers to turn to other crops, International Grain Council (IGC), a London-based organisation, said.

However, according to IGC, there is no change in 2008 global production estimate of 683 million tonne, a rise of 73 million tonne from the 2007 figure. The total global wheat consumption is forecast to be less by one million tonne during 2008-9 at 650 million tonne.

Higher production in the EU is being offset by further reductions in Australia, where late rains are disrupting harvesting. While the wheat quality in several other countries has been affected by poor harvesting weather, prospects are also favourable in EU, Asia, western Russia and Ukraine.

In India, the target of raising the wheat area by one million hectares this year would be achieved, as a number of non-traditional wheat growing states like Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh would expand cultivation. The wheat acreage last year was around 28 million hectares in 2007.