The Government of Argentina has issued export permits for 1.5 million tonnes of wheat and wheat flour of the new 2014 crop, currently being harvested. Production is forecast to reach 11.5 million tonnes on a strong recovery in area planted due to high domestic prices. The wheat quota is to be exported from 15 December. The government also authorized export permits for 8 million tonnes of maize of the new 2015 crop, to be gathered from March. The maize may be shipped outside the country from 15 March 2015. Restrictions on the export of maize and wheat are applied in the country to ensure adequate domestic supplies and curb price increases. In mid-October, the Government had already authorized the export of 500 000 tonnes of maize and 400 000 tonnes of wheat from the already finalized agriculture season 2013/14, plus an additional 100 000 tonnes of wheat flour.