In Canada, the official March seeding intentions report indicated that the total wheat area for the 1998 harvest would fall by about 8 percent, despite a 29 percent increase in the winter durum wheat area, while that for coarse grains would rise by about 6 percent. As of early June spring grain planting was virtually complete throughout the country and the winter wheat crop in eastern Canada was reported to be in good condition. Based on the condition of crops in early June, yields are expected to be on trend or just slightly below trend, despite exceptionally dry soil conditions in several parts and some crop damage due to severe late frosts in late May and early June.