Nogger's Blog

13/04/11 -- According to the FAO planting of the 2011 mainly wheat spring cereal crops is underway in the main growing areas of Akmola, Kostanai, North Kazakhstan, and Pavlodar.

Spring crops account for 95 percent annual wheat production. Official forecasts of the area planted to grains in 2011 have been revised downwards to 15.9 million hectares, which is some 5 percent lower the 2010 actual level of 16.7 million hectares, they say.

In spite of below average precipitation during the first quarter of 2011, soil moisture is reported to be adequate for planting operations, due to the high snowmelt. The minor winter cereal crops survived winter better than last year, when crops were badly damaged by frosts, they add.

Overall, and assuming a recovery in yields after last year’s drought-reduced level, the 2011 wheat production is forecast by FAO at around 16 MMT, significantly above the 2010 level of 10 MMT.