ABSTRACT
It is useful to take a snapshot of the production, trade and prices just after each harvest, so that it can be seen how the annual programme dovetails in. This chapter gives an overview of grain production, trade and prices in the Northern Hemisphere, based on the autumn of 1997. Wheat production has increased in the last two years while coarse grains production has fluctuated depending on whether or not there has been a drought affecting the US corn crop. Barley is next to maize in the coarse grains league and in 1997-1998 had a forecast world production of 147.6 million tons, half of which comes from Europe. The prospects for an increase in either the wheat or coarse grain trade are not bright, with larger crops in China and Russia, formerly the two main importers. The consequence may be lower prices but not necessarily greater trade.
