[reem2000]

Despite predictions of a bumper harvest there are significant differences across the various production regions. This can be clearly seen in relation to European production where it essentially is a harvest of 2 halves. The main producing countries within the EU of France, Germany, Poland and the UK (to a lesser extent) have reduced harvests on last season while within the greater European area of Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Spain all have had very good harvests. French grain production is forecast to be down by at least 30% on last season but more importantly the quality of the malting barley and milling wheat have bombed out. The reduction in grain market reports production in countries closer to Ireland combined with the quality issue of imported grain has significantly reduced harvest pressure on local prices. kozhikode, India