Grain: World Markets and Trade, August 2004

Grain: World Markets and Trade
Foreign Agricultural Service Circular Series
FG 08-04
August 2004

Shrinking Stocks Constrain Indian Exports


India’s wheat and rice exports are expected to fall this year as tightening stocks limit exportable supplies. Grain exports peaked 2 years ago after a string of large crops, and subsequent swelling stocks, led the government to encourage rice and wheat exports. Aggressive export programs, coupled with smaller production in recent years, cut grain carryin stocks by over 60 percent. Tighter supplies led the government in August 2003 to ban the allocation of subsidized rice and wheat for export. For wheat, large volumes of sales concluded before the ban have meant that the resulting slowdown in shipments has only recently started to be realized. This is opening greater opportunities for other suppliers in Asian, East African, and Persian Gulf markets. For rice, the export slowdown began late last year and is expected to continue over the next year, particularly given the irregular performance of the 2004 monsoon. Reduced Indian shipments will boost other Asian sales into Africa and parboiled markets. However, this may be offset by import demand by Bangladesh because of severe flooding.

Complete Grain Report in PDF: Text and Tables

All Grain Summary Tables: Foreign Countries and US Data

International Market Analysis: Feed-Quality Wheat Trade Recovers

World Markets and Trade: Commentary and Current Data

Notice to readers:
Beginning January 2004, printed versions of the Grain: World Markets and Trade circular are no longer published. The online issue of the circular, which includes Summary Tables, Situation and Outlook reports, and Historical Data Series for Selected Regions and Countries, is available via the FAS Web site (http://www.fas.usda.gov/grain/).

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Data in this report is available in both Adobe Acrobat and Excel spreadsheet formats. You may need to Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Last modified: Thursday, November 13, 2003

Wheat Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Wheat Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]

Rice Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Rice Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]

Coarse Grains Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Coarse Grains Data Tables	Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]