Latest information confirms earlier expectations of a sharply reduced cereal output in 1998. Due to adverse weather and shortages of machinery last autumn, winter grain planting was delayed and the area of wheat and barley for harvest this summer is forecast to be about 20 percent below that of the previous year. Moreover, although the development of the winter crops is reported to be satisfactory so far, there are concerns that fertilizer use may be limited having an adverse affect on yields.