CANADA (9 June)
In Canada, conditions for grain planting this spring have been generally favourable. Regarding wheat, a slightly smaller planted area is estimated but expectations for less abandonment this year could result in little change in the final area harvested. However, a reduction in yields could result in a smaller wheat output, currently forecast at 23.5 million tonnes, 9 percent down from 2004. Although the area of barley for harvest this year is forecast to increase, as for wheat, yields are expected to be down from exceptional high levels last year and output is forecast to drop to about 12.7 million tonnes from 13.2 million tonnes in 2004.