FAO expects near-record wheat production in 2012

The United Nations Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) has forecast that 2012 world wheat production will be the second highest on record at 690 million tones.

The FAO’s quarterly Crop Prospects and Food Situation report released March 8, 2012 forecast a 2012 wheat crop of 10 million tonnes or 1.4% down from the record 2011 harvest but “still well above the average of the past five years”.

Although plantings have increased or are forecast to increase in many countries this year in response to continuing strong prices, the UN food agency said a return to normal yields is expected in areas where record highs were achieved last year.

But it was still too early for a global forecast of 2012 cereal output, the report said.

The Crop Prospects report also noted a firming of international cereal prices in recent weeks due to tightening current wheat supplies and concerns over the impact of severe cold weather in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

By Ekow Quandzie