Brussels, 29/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - According to the most recent forecasts from Coceral (Committee of cereals, oilseeds, animal feed, olive oil, oils and fats and agrosupply trade in the EU), cereal production in the EU 25 could reach 282 million tonnes in 2004, which would represent an increase of more than 24% compared to the harvest in 2003 (226.9 million tonnes). Coceral has therefore revised its forecasts made last June upwards (267.2 million tonnes).
Cereal production is estimated to reach 219.6 million tonnes in the EU 15 (+20% compared to 2003) and 62.4 million tonnes in the ten new Member States (+40% compared to 2003). The harvest in soft wheat in the EU 25, according to forecasts made by Coceral is 123.9 million tonnes (compared to 98.4 million tonnes in 2003). Production barley will be 61.1 million tonnes (54 million tonnes in 2003) and that of durum wheat will rise to 11.1 million tonnes (7.9 million tonnes in 2003). According to Coceral, corn production in the EU 25 could reach 51.5 million tonnes in 2004, a third higher than last year (38.6 million tonnes).