ENGLAND SEES WHEAT PRODUCTION DOWN 10%
England’s wheat production this year is estimated at 12.81 million tonnes, down 10% from the previous season on lower planted area and yields, Britain’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said. The area planted to wheat saw a decrease of 5.3% to 1.58 million hectares while yield is expected to fall 5.2% to 8.1 tonnes per hectare. The decrease in wheat planted area was ascribed to farmers possibly favoring barley and oilseed, which both saw increases in area in 2023, of 2.2% to 799,000 hectares and 6.1% to 342,000 hectares respectively.
The provisional estimate of the 2023 English barley harvest is 4.8 million tonnes, a decrease of 5.8% from 2022. A 13% decrease in spring barley production was partly offset by a modest increase in winter barley, rising by 0.9%. Overall yields for both winter and spring barley decreased by 4% and 13%, respectively. In 2023, oats production is estimated to have fallen by 18% to 651,000 tonnes from the previous year, and the overall yield decreased by 15% to 4.9 tonnes/hectare. Rape oilseed production decreased by 14% to 1 million tonnes this year, the estimate shows. Despite an increase in area, the fall in production was driven by a 19% decrease in yield.
(Link: WorldGrain)
INDIA REVIEWING FLOOR PRICE FOR BASMATI RICE EXPORTS
The Indian government said on Sunday it is actively reviewing the floor price it has set for basmati rice exports even as it continues to curb overseas shipments. The decision comes after New Delhi said it will maintain a $1,200 per ton minimum export price (MEP) on basmati rice shipments, which was first imposed in August to calm local prices and help authorities ensure that non-basmati rice is not exported as basmati rice.
Saturday’s move had raised concerns among exporters, who were worried about a sharp drop in shipments due to the government decision. The government’s Sunday statement said there was a general decline in prices as the new rice crop has started arriving and the minister for consumer affairs had met exporters who told the government the floor price was adversely affecting exports. Following the meeting, a review of the floor price “is under active consideration of the government,” the statement said.
(Link: WorldGrain)
