# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.875in" height="0.6083333333333333in"}United States 

**Department of**

**Agriculture**

Foreign

Agricultural

Service

Circular Series

WAP 12-05

December 2005

**China: Higher Area Boosts Corn Production**

![](media/image2.wmf){width="4.125in"
height="3.2604166666666665in"}China is expected to produce its third
largest corn crop in 2005/06. Production is estimated at 130.0 million
tons, up 4 million from last month and similar to last year's crop.

Planted area for 2005/06 is estimated at a record 26.0 million hectares,
up 2 percent from last year. Corn area dropped sharply in 2000/01 after
two consecutive bumper crops resulted in excessive stocks and low
prices. In 2003/04 the grain crop was lower than expected. In order to
induce farmers to plant more corn, the Chinese government offered tax
breaks and subsidies. Corn area rebounded in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and has
now surpassed the previous record set in 1999/00.

The estimated yield of 5.0 tons per hectare is down 2 percent from last
year's excellent yield. Abundant rainfall and warm temperatures during
the growing season favored crop development in the important
corn-producing provinces of northern and eastern China. However,
excessive rainfall during flowering and pollination lowered yield
prospects in parts of Liaoning, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia, while
tropical storms damaged corn in Shandong and Jiangsu. Harvesting is now
complete. Scattered showers in September caused minor delays in the
Northeast, but temperatures remained above freezing in the main crop
areas through mid-October, at least one week longer than normal. Heavy
rain in September may have lowered yields and crop quality in parts of
the North China Plain, but warmer and drier weather in October aided
harvesting. (*For more information, contact Paulette Sandene at
202-690-0133.*)

**South Africa: Lower Corn Area and Output for 2005/06**

South Africa's 2005/06 corn production is forecast at 7.5 million tons,
down 0.5 million from last month and down 4.2 million from last year.
Area is forecasted at 2.6 million hectares, down 0.2 million from last
month and down 0.6 million from last year. The estimated yield of 2.88
tons per hectare is near the 5-year average and assumes normal weather
for the upcoming growing season. Although South Africa's Crop Estimates
Committee's (CEC) planting intentions survey indicates a year-to-year
decrease of 53 percent in corn area for 2005/06, prices have increased
since the survey. Because of the higher prices, along with timely
November rains, farmers are likely to plant more corn than initial
intentions indicated. Therefore, USDA forecasts that the year-to-year
change in area will not be as great as indicated by the CEC survey.
*(For more information, contact Curt Reynolds at 202 690-0134.)*

**Ukraine: Record Corn Yield for 2005/06**

The USDA estimates Ukraine corn production for 2005/06 at 7.2 million
tons, up 11 percent from last month, but down 18 percent from last year.
Harvested area is estimated at 1.65 million hectares against 2.30
million last year. Favorable weather during the growing season
contributed to this year's estimated record yield of 4.36 tons per
hectare, and unusually dry harvest weather enabled farmers to harvest 97
percent of the planted area, compared to 93 percent last year and the
10-year average of 92 percent. (*For more information, contact Mark
Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)*

**Canada: Corn Production Increases**

Canada's corn production for 2005/06 is estimated at 9.5 million tons,
up 1.0 million from last month and up 0.6 million from last year.
Harvested area is estimated at 1.1 million hectares, nearly unchanged
from last year and slightly below the 5-year average of 1.2 million.
This month's production increase in Canada is largely due to an increase
in Ontario corn yield, which is estimated at a record 9.1 tons per
hectare. Yield in Quebec is reported at 8.4 tons per hectare by
Statistics Canada. Ontario and Quebec account for approximately 62 and
35 percent, respectively, of Canada's corn production. The overall yield
is estimated at 8.6 tons per hectare, up 5 percent from last year. *(For
more information, contact Nicole Wagner at 202-720-0882.)*

**Ukraine: Dry Harvest Brings Record Sunflowerseed Production**

The USDA estimates Ukrainian sunflowerseed production for 2005/06 at a
record 4.6 million tons, up 7 percent from last month and up 51 percent
from last year when unusually wet weather reduced output. Area is
estimated at 3.6 million hectares, a year-to-year increase of 6 percent.
The crop benefited from favorable weather during the growing season, and
estimated yield increased by over 40 percent to 1.28 tons per hectare,
the highest level in 10 years. Unusually dry harvest weather enabled
farmers to gather nearly 100 percent of the planted area. In a typical
year, about 4 percent of the area is abandoned. *(For more information,
contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)*

**Australia: Rapeseed Production High Despite Season's Delayed Start**

Australian rapeseed production for 2005/06 is forecast at 1.35 million
tons, up 0.25 million from last month, but down 0.18 million from last
year. The area is forecast at 0.94 million hectares, up 0.04 million
from last month, but down from last year due to extended dryness during
the optimal sowing period. The yield forecast of 1.44 tons per hectare
is above last year and above the 5-year average. Except for the early
season dryness, weather has been generally favorable, with abundant
rainfall in June, and again in September during the critical flowering
stage. The rapeseed harvest is in full swing in all producing states. Of
the three main winter crops, the rapeseed harvest is completed first,
followed by barley, then wheat. *(For more information, contact Jim
Crutchfield at 202-690-0135.)*

**Canada: Rapeseed Production Sets Record**

Canadian rapeseed production for 2005/06 is estimated at 9.7 million
tons, up 1.2 million from last month and up 1.9 million from last year.
Canadian farmers reported a record yield of 1.83 tons per hectare in a
November survey from Statistics Canada. This is up from the previous
record of 1.58 tons per hectare set in 1999/2000. Favorable
precipitation during the growing season, and good harvest weather in
Alberta and Saskatchewan led to the record crop. Adverse conditions in
Manitoba, however, caused a 29-percent decline in production in that
province. *(For more information, contact Nicole Wagner at
202-720-0882.)*

**India Cotton Production Estimate Scaled Back**

India\'s 2005/06 cotton production is estimated at 18.6 million bales,
down 0.4 million from last month and down 0.4 million from last year.
Harvested area is forecast is 8.9 million hectares, down slightly from
last year. The decrease in estimated production is due to lower
estimated planted area and likely yield losses due to heavy late-season
rains in some growing areas. Harvested area is estimated at 8.9 million
hectares based on State Government estimates. Heavy rains during October
and November in central and southern India caused some damage to the
standing cotton crop in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
Tamil Nadu. Although crop losses due to late rains are expected in the
south, improved yield prospects in India's largest producing state of
Gujarat and the main northern zone producing state of Punjab will
partially offset these losses. Additional details of the rain damage
should emerge in late December as arrivals from the southern areas
increase. As of Dec. 3, 2005, arrivals totaled 4.0 million bales, down 2
percent from the same date last year. *(For more information, contact
Jim Crutchfield at 202-690-0135.)*

**China: Wheat Production Higher in 2005/06**

China's wheat production for 2005/06 is estimated at 96.0 million tons,
up 1.0 million from last month and up 4.1 million from last year. Area
is estimated at 22.7 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but up
1.1 million from last year. This is the first year-to-year increase in
area since 1997/98. The year-to-year increase in production is due to a
6-percent increase in area. Winter wheat production is estimated at 91.0
million tons. The estimated wheat yield of 4.23 tons per hectare is
nearly equal to last year's record yield. The crop benefited from
generally favorable weather, but untimely rainfall in parts of the North
China Plain during the harvest reportedly caused quality problems. (*For
more information, contact Paulette Sandene at 202-690-0133.*)

**Australia Wheat Production Forecast Higher**

Australia's wheat production for 2005/06 is forecast at 24.0 million
tons, up 1.5 million from last month and up 1.4 million from last year.
Area is forecast at 11.8 million hectares, up 0.3 million from last
month, but down 2 million from last year. Yield is forecast at 2.03 tons
per hectare, up 4 percent from last month and up 24 percent from last
year. Winter rainfall was near normal for most of the wheat areas of
Western Australia, the largest wheat producing state, and crop
conditions were reportedly good after an excellent start to the season.
There have been some dry pockets in the state, but for the most part the
conditions are favorable. Seasonal conditions have been variable across
the major cropping regions of eastern Australia. Sowing was delayed due
to dry May weather and finished later than usual following June
precipitation. July was dry, but August and September saw normal to
above normal rainfall in all crop areas except northern New South Wales
and Queensland. Precipitation and temperatures during October and
November were optimal for grain fill in most wheat growing regions. The
wheat harvest is complete in Queensland and is in full swing in the
other states. (*For more information, contact Jim Crutchfield at
202-690-0135.*)

**Uzbekistan: Record Wheat Crop for 2005/06**

The USDA estimates Uzbekistan wheat production for 2005/06 at a record
5.7 million tons, up 16 percent from last month and up 10 percent from
last year. Area is estimated at 1.3 million hectares, unchanged from
last month, but down 7 percent from last year. Uzbekistan wheat area
tripled between the mid-1980's and the mid-1990's as part of a national
drive to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production; however it has
remained relatively stable since 1995, fluctuating between 1.2 and 1.4
million hectares. Yield has risen steadily since 1995, due in part to an
increase in the area under irrigation. *(For more information, contact
Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)*

**Canada: Wheat at Record Yield**

Canada's wheat production for 2005/06 is estimated at 26.8 million tons,
up 5 percent from last month and up 4 percent from last year, based on
the Statistics Canada's November Farm Survey. While harvested area of
9.8 million hectares is slightly down from last year, yield is reported
at a record 2.73 tons per hectare, up 4 percent from last year's strong
yield of 2.62 tons per hectare. Most of the increase in yield is due to
better weather in Saskatchewan and Alberta. However, farmers in Manitoba
reported a 29-percent drop in production, due chiefly to excessive early
season wetness, decreasing their crop to 2.3 million tons. *(For more
information, contact Nicole Wagner at 202-720-0882.)*

**Australia: Barley Production Forecast Higher**

The 2005/06 Australia barley production is forecast at 8.5 million tons,
up 1.3 million from last month and up 0.8 million from last year. The
area forecast is 4.1 million hectares, up 0.3 million from last month,
but down 0.5 million from last year. Winter rainfall was near normal for
most of the barley areas of Western Australia and crop conditions were
reported as good after an excellent start to the season. There have been
some dry pockets in the state, but for the most part the conditions are
positive in Australia's second largest barley producing state. Seasonal
conditions have been variable across the major cropping regions of
eastern Australia. An unusually dry May significantly delayed sowing
operations until June's exceptionally heavy precipitation that allowed
sowing operations to complete later than normal. The later than normal
rainfall likely resulted in some area shifting away from wheat to barley
this season. August and September saw normal to above normal rainfall in
nearly all growing areas. Precipitation and temperature during October
and November were optimal for grain fill in most barley growing regions.
The barley harvest is complete in Queensland and is in full swing in the
other states. (*For more information, contact Jim Crutchfield at 202
690-0135.*)

This report uses information from the Foreign Agricultural Service's
(FAS) global network of agricultural attachés and counselors, official
statistics of foreign governments and other foreign source materials,
and the analysis of economic and satellite imagery. Estimates of foreign
area, yield, and production are from the Production Estimates and Crop
Assessment Division, FAS, and are reviewed by USDA's Inter-Agency
Commodity Estimates Committee. Estimates of U.S. area, yield, and
production are from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Numbers within the report may not add to totals because of rounding.
This report reflects official USDA estimates released in the World
Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE-429), Dec. 9, 2005.

**Printed copies are available from the National Technical Information
Service. Download an order form at
http://www.ntis.gov/products/specialty/usda/fas_a-g.asp, or call NTIS at
1-800-363-2068.**

The FAS Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division prepared this
report. The next issue of World Agricultural Production will be released
after 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, December 9, 2005.

**Conversion Table**

[Metric tons to bushels]{.underline}

> Wheat, soybeans = MT \* 36.7437
>
> Corn, sorghum, rye = MT \* 39.36825
>
> Barley = MT \* 45.929625
>
> Oats = MT \* 68.894438

[Metric tons to 480-lb bales]{.underline}

> Cotton = MT \* 4.592917

[Metric tons to hundredweight]{.underline}

> Rice = MT \* 22.04622

[Area & weight]{.underline}

> 1 hectare = 2.471044 acres
>
> 1 kilogram = 2.204622 pounds

For further information, contact:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Foreign Agricultural Service

Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division

Ag Box 1045, Room 6541, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-1045

Telephone: (202) 720-0888 Fax: (202) 720-8880

[GENERAL INFORMATION]{.underline}

Division Director Allen Vandergriff 202-720-0888
vandergriff@fas.usda.gov

Administrative Assistant Mary Jackson 202-720-0888
jacksonma@fas.usda.gov

Acting Deputy Director for Analysis Paul Provance 202-720-0881
provance@fas.usda.gov

Remote Sensing Specialist Brad Doorn 202-690-0131 doorn@fas.usda.gov

Contract Representative Theresa Wright 202-720-8887 wrightt@fas.usda.gov

Imagery Archive Coordinator Bob Tetrault 202-690-0130
tetrault@fas.usda.gov

USDA Remote Sensing Advisor Glenn Bethel 202-720-1280
bethel@fas.usda.gov

Chief of Technology Services Bob Baldwin 202-720-1860
baldwin@fas.usda.gov

Image Processing Specialist Stephen Macugoski 202-720-6237
macugoski@fas.usda.gov

GIS Specialist **(Vacant)**

[COMMODITY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION]{.underline}

Grains Chairperson Michelle Greenberg 202-720-7339
greenberg@fas.usda.gov

Oilseeds Chairperson Paul Provance 202-720-0881 provance@fas.usda.gov

Rice Chairperson Teresa McKeivier 202-720-0879 teresa.mckeivier@usda.gov

Cotton Chairperson Teresa McKeivier 202-720-0879
teresa.mckeivier@usda.gov

[COUNTRY- AND REGION-SPECIFIC INFORMATION]{.underline}

Brazil, Paraguay, & Venezuela Michael Shean 202-720-7366
shean@fas.usda.gov

Canada & Argentina Nicole Wagner 202-720-0882 nicole.c.wagner@usda.gov

European Union, the Balkans, Bryan Purcell 202-690-0138
purcellb@fas.usda.gov

& North Africa

Russia, Ukraine, & Central Asia Mark Lindeman 202-690-0143
lindeman@fas.usda.gov

China, Koreas, Japan, Paulette Sandene 202-690-0133
<sandene@fas.usda.gov>

& Southeast Asia

Australia, Bangladesh, India, Jim Crutchfield 202-690-0135
crutchfield@fas.usda.gov

& Pakistan

Southern Africa & West Africa Curt Reynolds 202-690-0134
reynoldsc@fas.usda.gov

Western United States Carl Gernazio 202-690-0136 gernazio@fas.usda.gov

Eastern United States **(Vacant**)

Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, & Iraq **(Vacant)**

Mexico, Central America, **(Vacant)**

& Caribbean