Menu

US maize to figure in worldwide coarse grain cut

- 29 April 1999
>More in


By FWi staff


WORLD production for coarse grains is predicted to fall 22 million tonnes from last year to 863 million tonnes, on the back of a smaller crop in the EU, China, and the USA.


This would be only partly offset by better prospects in Romania, the CIS and India, noted the International Grains Council (IGC). The majority of the net decrease is expected to come from a reduction of maize in the USA.


World barley production is expected to remain stable with slightly higher outputs in Russia and a smaller crop in the EU.


World trade in coarse grains is likely to increase 2 million to 94 million tonnes on the back of increased maize imports, said a spokesman from the IGC.


“However, the potential for a larger increase remains, especially if there are significant crop shortfalls in major importers,” he added.


Consumption of coarse grains will grow over the next year to 884 million tonnes. Some economic recovery is expected in Far East Asia as well as in a number of developing countries.


Depending on values, the IGC believes that consumption could also rise in Europe and the United States.
World estimates – coarse grain
  95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 (forecast as at 25/03/99) 98-99 (forecast as at 28/04/99)
Production 802 914 894 889 885
Trade 92 92 88 91 92
Consumption 838 881 884 886 876
Stocks 91 124 134 139 144


Overall world stocks are expected are expected to fall 20 million to 124 million tonnes with the largest reduction in the USA.


Stocks will also be down in the EU, notes the IGC. Here stocks are forecast to decline 4 million to 24 million tonnes.


See more