Weather conditions have been generally favourable since sowing time throughout the Community, with plentiful rainfall benefiting establishment of the winter crops. Aggregate winter grain plantings are estimated to have increased slightly. Latest information indicates larger areas of wheat and rye but less barley. The area sown to winter wheat is estimated to have increased in particular in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the Community’s major producers. Spring grain planting is already underway in several parts of the Community. Plantings are forecast to rise in France, but in Germany, a smaller area is expected. Based on the condition of crops in the ground and expected spring planting intentions, aggregate wheat output in 1998 is expected to increase somewhat in the Community but output of coarse grains could fall.