TURKMENISTAN (12 May)
Latest official reports indicate that cereal crops are in satisfactory condition following favourable weather throughout winter and spring. Aggregate area planted with cereals is estimated at just over 1 million hectares, which is similar to areas planted in 2003. Official forecasts point to a record cereal harvest of 2.79 million tonnes, which is up by more than 100 000 tonnes on last year’s bumper crop. Turkmenistan has been attempting to achieve cereal self-sufficiency by expanding area planted with cereal and improving yields. The government has also been building up cereal stocks.