Small Decline in Global Coarse Grain Output

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/02 - SNS -- Projected 2002-03 global coarse grain production is down slightly from last month as reductions for Canada, Australia, and the EU more than offset increases for Russia, Ukraine, and Argentina, according to the latest USDA outlook report.

With coarse grain production in Canada down 3.6 million tons (largely barley and corn), projected corn imports by Canada are up 2.5 million tons to 4.5 million tons. Projected imports are also up for Mexico.

Although the larger imports by Mexico and Canada will come from the United States, projected U.S. corn exports are unchanged because of increased competition from China, Argentina, and Brazil in other import markets.

Projected global 2002-03 global coarse grain ending stocks are little changed from last month as gains for Russia and Ukraine offset lower stocks in the EU and China.

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