NORTH AMERICA: In the United States, total wheat production in 2002 is estimated at about 46 million tonnes 14 percent down from the previous year's below?average output. Prospects for the maize harvest have deteriorated since the previous report due to exceptionally dry conditions throughout the summer. Maize output is now forecast at 225 million tonnes, about 6 percent below last year's about?average crop. In Canada, following one of the worst droughts on record in the main grain producing areas, wheat output is set to fall to 15.4 million tonnes, well below last year and the average. A sharp drop in barley output is also forecast.