Brussels, 04/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of Agricultural Organisations in the European Union (COPA) and the General Committee for Agricultural Co-operation in the EU (COGECA) have chalked up an increase in grain production in the 2002/2003 campaign (+13 million tons for soft wheat compared to the last campaign), with the exception of rye, which fell by 16%). The 2002/2003 grain harvest was more than 210 million tons, according to the two agricultural organisations' estimations. A 4% increase in surface grains is expected for the 2002-2003 campaign compared to the last campaign, with a sharp increase in wheat (+10%) and a fall in secondary grains such as rye (-9%).
COPA and COGECA point out in a communiqué that Community preference is at the centre of current worries in the profession, which for several months has been calling for the immediate implementation of an Odessa quotation on import duties. The two organisations claim that without firm measures, "the permanent presence of imported grain from the Ukraine and Russia will continue to exercise considerable pressure" in lowering prices in the internal market in 2002/2003 as was the case in 2001/2002.