World Agricultural Production (WAP) reports are prepared by the FAS International Production Assessment Branch (IPA).

The reports use information from the Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) global network of agricultural attachés and counselors, official statistics of foreign governments and other foreign source materials, and the results of economic and satellite imagery analysis.

China Corn: Higher Area Offsets Lower Yields in Northeast China

Chinas 2007/08 corn production is estimated at 145.0 million tons, up 2.0 million or 1 percentfrom last month but down slightly from last years revised crop of 145.5 million tons. Area isestimated at a record 28.0 million hectares, up more than 1 million hectares from last year, asrising worldwide demand for corn and high prices encouraged farmers to expand corn acreage.This is the third consecutive year of record planted area in China. The estimated yield of 5.18tons per hectare is down from last years record yield but close to the long term trend. Severedrought in Northeast China caused significant yield reductions, but other regions reported near toabove normal yields this year.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. China Corn: Higher Area Offsets Lower Yields in Northeast China

China Wheat: Production Revised Upward

Chinas 2007/08 wheat crop is estimated at 106.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 1 percent fromlast month and up 1.5 million from last years revised output of 104.5 million tons. Wheat areais unchanged this month at 23.1 million hectares, but yields were increased slightly to a record4.59 tons per hectare. According to Chinese government statistics, the 2007/08 summer graincrop (mainly winter wheat) reached 115.35 million tons, up 1.5 million from the previous year,due to higher reported yields. Several key wheat-growing provinces (Henan, Hebei, Anhui,Shandong and others) reported bumper winter wheat crops for 2007/08.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. China Wheat: Production Revised Upward

China Rice: Higher Rice Area and Yields in 2007/08

Rice production for 2007/08 is estimated at 129.5 million tons (milled basis), up 2.5 million or 2percent from last month and 1 percent from last years revised crop of 127.8 million tons. Ricearea is unchanged at 29.6 million hectares, up 0.3 million from last year, while the estimatedyield of 6.25 tons per hectare (rough basis) is up 2 percent from last month and up slightly fromlast year.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. China Rice: Higher Rice Area and Yields in 2007/08

Argentina: Record Yield Forecast for Wheat

The USDA estimates Argentine wheat production for 2007/08 at 15.5 million tons, up 1.0million from last month and up 0.3 million from last year. Area is estimated at 5.2 millionhectares, up 0.2 million from last month and down 0.1 million from last year. Yield hasincreased nearly every year since 2002/03 and is forecast at a record 3.0 tons per hectare for2007/08, marking a 44-percent increase over the past five years. The U.S. agricultural attaché inBuenos Aires reports that current conditions for wheat are excellent following beneficial rainfalland favorably warm weather.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Argentina: Record Yield Forecast for Wheat

Australia: Barley Production Lowered Following Persistent Dryness

Australian barley production for 2007/08 is forecast at 5.5 million tons, down 0.7 million or 11percent from last month, but up 1.7 million from last year. The area forecast is 4.0 millionhectares, unchanged from last month, and unchanged from last year. Most winter barley areasrecorded below average rainfall during the Australian summer. Opportunities for sowing barleydiminished as the dryness persisted. The reduction in area resulting from dry planting conditionsfor barley was partially offset by the decision of some farmers to shift from wheat to barley.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Australia: Barley Production Lowered Following Persistent Dryness

Australias Dry October Reduces Estimated Yield

Australia wheat production for 2007/08 is forecast at 13.0 million tons, down 0.5 million or 4percent from last month, but up 3.1 million or 31 percent from last year. The area forecast is12.2 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but up 1.0 million or 9 percent from last year.Seasonal conditions have been variable across the major cropping regions of Australia. Sincemajor sowing operations commenced in May, periods of dryness have plagued the Australianwheat producing states. September precipitation is the most influential factor for determiningAustralia wheat yield and was far below average for all wheat areas with the exception ofWestern Australia.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Australias Dry October Reduces Estimated Yield

India Rapeseed Loses Ground to Wheat

India's 2007/08 rapeseed production is forecast at 5.7 million tons, down 1.4 million from lastmonth and down 0.1 million from last year. Area is estimated at 6.0 million hectares, down 1.4million from last month and down 0.6 million from last year. According to the latest governmentdata, the rabi/winter season rapeseed sowing progress is below that of last season for the sametime period. The drop in rapeseed area from last season is due to recent changes in support pricepolicy.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. India Rapeseed Loses Ground to Wheat

Mexico: Sorghum Production Forecasted to Increase by 11 Percent

The USDA forecasts Mexican sorghum area up by nearly 7 percent to 1.6 million hectares andproduction at 6 million metric tons or up 11 percent from the last month. According to Ministryof Agriculture (SAGARPA), planted area of spring/summer sorghum for 2007/08 has increasedby 100,000 hectares. Producers are expanding production because of higher prices. The U.S.agricultural attaché in Mexico City reports that livestock producers switched from corn to'sorghum as a result of higher corn prices, which contributed to a sorghum shortage in thecountry.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Mexico: Sorghum Production Forecasted to Increase by 11 Percent

Nigerias 2007/08 Corn Production Down Sharply from Last Year

Nigerias 2007/08 corn production is forecasted at 6.5 million tons, down 2.5 million tons fromlast month and down 1.3 million from last year. The reduction in production is due to severalfactors: less corn area planted as a result of very poor financial returns from last years bumpercrop; low prices at the time of planting this year; and high fertilizer prices. Corn area for2007/08 is forecasted at 4.0 million hectares, down 1.2 million hectares from last month anddown 0.7 million from last year. The estimated yield of 1.63 tons/ha is below last years yield of1.66 tons/ha and slightly below the 5-year average yield of 1.63. Insufficient and erratic rainfallin the northern grain belt was another factor impacting the reduced corn crop.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Nigerias 2007/08 Corn Production Down Sharply from Last Year

Pakistan Insect and Disease Infestation Threatens Cotton Crop

Pakistan cotton production for 2007/08 is forecast at 9.75 million bales, down 1.25 million or 11percent from last month and down 0.15 million from last year. Area is forecast at 3.25 millionhectares, unchanged from last month and unchanged from last year. Area remains forecast at lastyears record as a result of favorable prices for cotton. However, heavy rainfall during sowingresulted in poor germination in some of the growing areas. Other areas were sown later than theoptimal planting window due to irrigation water shortages. Growing conditions have been mixedthis season in part because of high temperatures in August and September which resulted inplants shedding bolls. More recently, damage from disease and pests have become moreapparent.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Pakistan Insect and Disease Infestation Threatens Cotton Crop

Ukraine: Above-Average Corn Crop Despite Drought in Key Southern Region

The USDA estimates Ukraine corn production for 2007/08 at 7.0 million tons, up 0.5 millionfrom last month and up 0.6 million from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 1.9 millionhectares, up 0.2 million from last year. Planted area increased by 15 percent from last year, to2.2 million hectares, but a key question surrounding the 2007 harvest, and one unanswered byofficial progress reports, is how much of the area originally planted for grain was instead cut for'silage due to unfavorable weather and low yield prospects in southern Ukraine. Above-normaltemperatures, including frequently excessive heat at critical growth stages, prevailed throughout'southern Ukraine from mid-May through early September.

See World Agricultural Production in PDF format. Ukraine: Above-Average Corn Crop Despite Drought in Key Southern Region

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