Global wheat output may fall to 681 MT in 2012-13: IGC

Global wheat output is expected to decline marginally to 681 million tonnes in 2012-13 crop year, over the last year's record, due less production in Australia, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Ukraine, according to UK-based International Grains Council.

"World wheat production in 2012-13 is expected to fall by 15 million tonnes from last year's record production of 696 million tonnes," the council said in a report.

The world wheat production is likely to be lower than the projected global consumption of 683 million tonnes for this year, the report added.

The overall output has been projected down as wheat production in Australia, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Ukraine are expected to be lower, though better outcomes are seen in North America and Russia.

China and India are the top two wheat producing countries in the world. The crop year varies from country to country. In India, wheat is planted in late October-November and the harvesting usually begins by middle of April.

Projecting a slight dip in world wheat trade at 136 million tonnes for 2012-13, the IGC said: "Some reduction in world wheat trade is forecast mainly due to lower purchases for feed amid improved supplies of maize and barley."

The global body added wheat supplies in the global market would not be affected even as global stocks are forecast to recede from the past year's peak.

The carry over stock of wheat at global level has been pegged at 203 million tonnes for 2012-13, as against 210 million tonnes for 2011-12, it added.