Promising cereal production in 2013

(ST) – Strong growth is expected for global wheat, coarse grains and rice production in 2013, according to early forecasts published by FAO’s monthly Cereals Supply and Demand Brief.

Assuming more normal weather conditions than in 2012, global wheat production in 2013 is expected to reach 695 million tones, 5.4 percent up from last year’s harvest and just some 6 million tones short of the 2011 record level.

 Moreover, in 2013, coarse grains production is expected to set a new record at 1266 million tones – 9.3 percent up on the previous high of 1167 million tones registered in 2011.

 Of this total, maize is forecast to account for about 960 million tones, some 10 percent up from 2012. The bulk of the increase is expected in the United States, the world’s largest producer, where maize plantings are forecast to reach their highest level since 1936. Recovery from drought in the major CIS producing countries should also contribute significantly to the record global production.

 Still tentatively, FAO foresees rice production in the forthcoming 2013 season to rise to 497.7 million tones, 16 million tones more than in 2012, with particularly large increases expected in India and Indonesia.

Despite the expected production increases, world cereal utilization is expected to stagnate in 2012/2013, constrained by rising grain prices and faltering ethanol demand. Global cereal utilization is now forecast to be 2332 million tones, roughly unchanged from the 2011/2012 level.

World cereal stocks by the close of seasons ending in 2013 are forecast at 505 million tons, up 1 percent (5 million tons) from the previous forecast, but some 3 percent (16 million tons) below their opening levels.

A sharp fall in world cereal trade is expected in 2012/2013, involving all major cereals. At 304.4 million tones, it would be almost 1 million tones larger than forecast last month, but still representing a decline of about 4 percent (13 million tons) from 2011/2012.

Sh. Kh.