FAO predicts bumper wheat, rice harvests

and Agriculture Organization has said the world's wheat and rice producers are heading for a record harvest this year. In its fresh food outlook, it has raised its forecast of global wheat production to 742.4 million tonnes because of increases in India, US and Russia, which is poised to overtake the European Union as the largest exporter. The total wheat utilisation is projected to reach 730.5 million tonnes. This includes a big jump in the use of lower-quality wheat for animal rations. The global rice production is also predicted to expand for the first time in three years, to an all-time high of 497.8 million tonnes. This is mainly due to abundant monsoon rains in Asia and increased production in Africa.