The state of crop harvests around the world

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/10/crop-harvests-world?intcmp=122

New UN forecasts indicate world cereal production will be reduced by 2.6% in 2012 following last year's record crop. Wheat production is expected to fall 5.2% – largely because of the heatwave in the United States, and other grains by 2.3%. The global rice crop is expected to remain mostly unchanged, with falls in India offset by an increase in China, Japan and the Philippines.

"The decrease will result in a significant reduction in world inventories by the close of seasons in 2013, even with world demand sliding as a result of high prices," said a spokesman for the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome.

US

Record heat in June and July and the worst drought since 1956 has reduced US wheat, maize and soy harvests by more than 10%. Because the US is by far the world's biggest grower and exporter of grains, this is expected to have repercussions around the world. Farmers are still harvesting their crops but the maize harvest is expected to be the lowest in nine years. Nearly 40% of all US maize is now used in biofuels, further restricting exports and raising prices.

Europe

The European Union is the world's third-largest grain grower but harvests this year are expected to be 5-10% less than last year due to summer heat and drought damage. France and Germany, Europe's top growers, have had a good year but not enough to offset declines in Britain, Spain and Italy. The wheat harvest is expected to be the lowest in five years.

[GliderGuider]

1. And so the dance begins...