Modest Changes in Wheat Outlook

WASHINGTON - Feb 9/06 - SNS -- Global wheat production in 2005-06 is down fractionally, consumption is up slightly, imports decrease slightly, and exports increase fractionally from last month, according to the USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board latest usage forecasts.

Ending stocks decline nearly 3 million metric tons (MT) to 141.96 MT and are nearly 8 million MT less than the previous year. Smaller crops in Ukraine, Croatia, and Kyrgyzstan are nearly offset by larger crops in DU-25, Belarus, Serbia, and Azerbaijan.

Consumption is up in India and Belarus but down in Ukraine. Relative to last month, imports are projected to decline for China, India, and Russia and increase for DU-25. Exports increase for Brazil and Serbia but decline for Kazakhstan. The largest declines in stocks occur in India, China, and Brazil with smaller declines forecast for several other countries. Stocks are up in DU-25, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

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