IGC coarse grain estimate up

By FWi staff

THE world production of coarse grains has been forecast 1 million tonnes higher at 881 million tonnes.

Increased estimates for maize in Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa are partially offset by smaller figures for sorghum in India and barley in Belarus, noted the International Grains Council in its monthly report.

Although production estimates have increased this month they are still down on 1998 when 586 million tonnes were produced.

World trade has remained unchanged at 98 million tonnes, an increase of 3 million tonnes on last year.

The majority of the increase involves higher imports of maize by Korea, and of barley by Iran, said the IGC.

World consumption is estimated to be 3 million tonnes lower at 875 million tonnes, the same as in 1998.

“The decrease is attributable mainly to lower feed use of maize in the United States and some displacement of cereals by oilseeds meals, citrus pulp and manioc in compound feed in the EC,” said the IGC.

World stocks have been put 4 million tonnes higher at 158 million tonnes on the back of revisions to estimates for production and consumption.