The latest USDA Crop Production report in September, put total wheat production in the United States in 2002 at just below 46 million tonnes, 14 percent down from the previous year’s below-average output and the smallest harvest since 1972. Although the total area sown declined further for this year’s crop, the bulk of the decrease reflects a sharp drop in yield as a result of drought conditions in the main growing areas. As of mid-September the maize harvest was just starting in the Corn Belt. Prospects for this year’s output 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. Aggregate coarse grains output for the year is put at 243 million tonnes, about 19 million tonnes down from 2001.