March 2002

Foreign wheat area for 2002/03 most likely will be above the level achieved last season with regional differences.  In the European Union, area is expected to be sharply higher due to improved planting conditions and stronger prices when wheat was planted last fall.  Plantings in the previous year, were reduced well below intended levels by prolonged extremely wet conditions.  In Eastern Europe, area is expected to decline based on lower plantings in Romania and Poland.  In Asia, planted acreage in China and Pakistan is projected to be smaller while that of India is expected to expand.  In Northwest Africa and the Middle East, acreage is projected to be similar to last year.  Mexico and Canada are projected to have lower planted acreage due to lower water supplies for Mexico, and better returns from competing crops for Canada.

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