Global grain production forecast improved 71 million tons

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) preliminary forecast points to a likely rebound of 2.7 per cent in global cereal production in 2019, following a decline registered in 2018.

"Based on the conditions of crops already in the ground and on planting intentions for those still to be sown, and assuming normal weather for the remainder of the season, world cereal output is forecast to reach a new record level of 2 722 million tons (including rice in milled equivalent), that is 71 million tons higher than in 2018," the report says.

Among the major cereals, wheat, corn and barley would account for most of the rise in cereal production, with projected year-on-year increases of 2.5 per cent, 2.2 per cent and 6.1 per cent, respectively.

As previously reported, the forecast for world wheat production in 2019/20 was increased by 23.8 million tons to 758.7 million tons, 24per cent higher than the current season's indicator (734.9 million tons).