The main wheat harvest was virtually completed by the end of September and was one of the earliest on record due largely to early seeding and the hot, dry weather during the summer and early autumn. The latest official estimate puts 1998 spring wheat output at 23.3 million tonnes, some 4 percent down from the previous year, primarily due to a reduction in seeded area. By contrast, the minor durum crop increased by about one-third to nearly 6 million tonnes. Aggregate coarse grain production is expected to increase marginally from the previous year, to 25.4 million tonnes. Larger maize and oats crops are expected to more than offset reduced barley production.
The 1998 aggregate wheat output is estimated at 69.6 million tonnes, some 1 percent up from 1997. As of late November, planting of winter wheat for the 1999 harvest was virtually complete and the bulk of the crop was reported to be in mostly good to excellent condition. The final area sown to winter wheat remains somewhat uncertain, but tentative estimates point to reduction reflecting the less attractive price outlook than a year ago. The bulk of the 1998 coarse grains harvest is complete and latest estimates confirm another good crop about 3 percent up from the previous year. The USDA�s November crop report put 1998 maize output at 249.8 million tonnes, about 12 million tonnes up from 1997. The 1998 paddy crop is estimated at 8.2 million tonnes, slightly up from the previous year�s level.