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         WORLD AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION PART 1:
                         December 1997
                                    
This report draws on information from USDA's global network of
agricultural attaches and counselors, official statistics of
foreign governments, other foreign source materials, and results
of office analysis.  Estimates of U.S. acreage, yield and
production are from the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board, except
where noted.  This report is based on unrounded data; numbers may
not add to totals because of rounding.  The report reflects
official USDA estimates released in the World Agricultural Supply
Estimates (WASDE-333) December 11, 1997.
The report was prepared by the Production Estimates and Crop
Assessment Division, FAS, AGBOX 1045, 14th and Independence Ave.,
Washington, DC 20250-1000.  Further information may be obtained by
writing to the division, or by calling (202) 720-0888, 9516,
or by FAX (202) 720-8880. 
The next issue of World Agricultural Production, Part 1, will be
available electronically after 3:30 pm local time on January 14,
1998.
             WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
                       December 11, 1997
UNITED STATES:  Strong Pacific storms have produced abundant
precipitation and some flooding in California.  Beneficial rain
and snow fell in the southern and central Plains wheat areas. 
With the active storm track across the southern United States, a
drying trend has developed over the north-central States. 
Temperatures plunged to the freezing level across the Gulf Coast
states in early December, while heavy snow fell in the eastern
Great Lakes region.
SOUTH AMERICA:  Drier weather prevailed across extreme southern
Brazil during late November and early December, allowing soybean
planting to advance to a normal pace.  Elsewhere in Brazil,
rainfall favored soybean planting.  In central Argentina, near to
above-normal November rainfall maintained soil moisture for summer
crop planting and filling winter wheat.
EUROPE:  In November, above-normal precipitation in England,
France, and Italy's Po Valley along with generally mild weather
benefitted winter crop establishment.  Heavy rains in Portugal
and Spain delayed fieldwork and caused some flooding.  In eastern
Europe, weather conditions favored dormant winter grains in
northern areas, while mild weather in southern areas allowed
further establishment of late-planted crops.
FSU-WESTERN:  In November, generally mild weather and near- to
above-normal precipitation favored winter grains.  Winter wheat in
traditional growing areas of Ukraine and southern Russia entered
dormancy during November with sufficient hardening.
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA:  Generous planting rains favored winter grain
emergence and establishment.  Planting typically continues through
December.
SOUTH AFRICA:  Conditions are mixed for corn establishment. 
Chronic dryness and periods of unseasonable heat continue to
plague the western corn belt, stressing emerged crops and impeding
fieldwork.  In eastern maize areas, well distributed rainfall has
created generally favorable growing conditions although
below-normal temperatures have slowed early development.  In
late-November, excessive rainfall may have flooded some coastal
sugarcane areas.
SOUTH ASIA:  Despite the monsoon's timely withdrawal, persistent
showers have kept unharvested summer crops unusually wet.  Of
greatest concern was cotton, which traditionally suffers most from
post-monsoon rainfall.  In the long-term, the moisture will
benefit winter agriculture including rice, winter wheat, and
rapeseed.
EASTERN ASIA:  Much above normal November rainfall aided
vegetative winter wheat and increased moisture reserves across the
North China Plain and the Yangtze Valley.  In the north,
seasonably cold weather prompted wheat to begin entering dormancy
by early December.
  
SOUTHEAST ASIA:  Across southern Indonesia, the rainy season
finally started during late November, bringing some drought relief
and allowing main-season rice planting to commence.  November
rainfall averaged less than half of normal the Philippines,
causing drought to develop. Weather was favorable for rice
harvesting across most of Thailand and Vietnam.  Near normal
November rainfall aided oil palm across the Malay Peninsula.
AUSTRALIA:  During November, beneficial rain improved sorghum and
cotton prospects in Queensland.  Less rain fell in summer crop
areas of New South Wales, and periodic heat since late-November
was unfavorable for non-irrigated crops.  Dry, warm weather since
mid-November in the west and southeast has benefitted maturing
winter grains (More details are available in the Weekly Weather
and Crop Bulletin. USDA/Joint Agricultural Weather Facility
           PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1997/98
                           
                     December 1997
    
                 -----------1997/98------      CHANGE
                 CURRENT     MONTHLY  MONTHLY  FROM
COUNTRY          ESTIMATE    CHANGE   CHANGE   1996/97
                  MMT        MMT     PERCENT  PERCENT
WHEAT
World             604.7      +1.6      +0        +4
                   
Production is projected at a record level as the total foreign
category is increased.
United States      68.8        NC      NC       +11
                   
Production is forecast unchanged this month.
Total Foreign     535.9      +1.6      +0        +3
                   
Production is forecast higher due to increases in Canada, Kazakstan,
Australia, and Argentina.
Canada             24.3      +0.8      +3       -18     
Production is forecast higher based on a Statistics Canada report
increasing yield.
Kazakstan           8.7       +0.7     +8       +12
                   
Production is forecast higher due to harvest results indicating an
increase in yield.
Australia          18.0       +0.5      +3      -24
Production is forecast higher due to reports of higher yields in
Western Australia and Queensland.
Argentina          13.2       +0.5      +4       -17
Production is forecast higher due to favorable weather that boosted
yield prospects, especially in southern Buenos Aires Province.
EU-15              95.3       -0.5       -1      -3
Production is forecast lower due to downward revisions in yields and
area for France and Greece. 
South Africa        2.3        -0.3      -12     -15
                   
Production is forecast lower based on harvest results indicating
reduced yield.
 
                     COARSE GRAINS
                           
World              886.4        +3.6      +0       -2
                   
Production is projected higher due to an increase in the total
foreign category.
United States      265.4          NC      NC        -1
                   
Production is forecast unchanged this month.
Total Foreign      620.9         +3.6     +1         -3
                   
Production is projected higher due to increases in Romania, North
Korea, EU-15, Canada, Australia, and Egypt. 
Romania            14.4          +1.5     +12       +30
Production is forecast higher based on increased corn yield as
favorable weather prevailed across the corn growing regions throughout the season.
North Korea          1.5         +0.7     +88        -17
                   
Production is forecast higher based on USDA field travel 
indicating green or fresh corn was not widely consumed. Because of
drought, corn yield is the lowest in nearly 20 years and 22
percent below the 5-year average.  
EU-15               108.7         +1.3      +1        +5     
Production is forecast at a record as corn area and yields in
Spain and France are increased because of favorable weather
throughout the growing season.
Canada             25.2           +0.4       +2      -11     
Production is forecast higher due to a Statistics Canada report
indicating increased yields for corn and barley  that more than
offset a lower yield for oats.
Australia           8.4           +0.4        +5      -16
Production is forecast higher based on an ABARE report citing
higher barley yield prospects.  Also, area  for sorghum and oats
is revised higher.
Egypt              6.6             +0.3       +4       -2     
Production is forecast higher based on increased corn yield due to
an upward revision in last season's crop.
 
Kazakstan           3.2             -0.6      -16      -2
                   
Production is forecast lower as harvest results indicate reduced
yields for all major coarse grains. 
Mexico             25.2             -0.3       -1      -4     
Production is forecast lower as corn yield for the spring/summer
crop is reduced due to drought damage earlier in the season. 
Sorghum yield is adjusted higher.
               WORLD RICE (MILLED BASIS)
World               382.7            +0.8       +0     +1        
Production is projected higher due to an increase in the total
foreign category.
United States         5.9              NC        NC    +5
                   
Production is forecast unchanged this month.
Total Foreign        376.8           +0.8        +0     +1
                   
Production is forecast higher due to increases in South Korea and
North Korea.
South Korea             5.5          +0.6        +11    +2
                   
Production is projected higher as excellent weather throughout the
growing season lifted yield to a record level.
North Korea              1.5          +0.3        +20  +20
                   
Production is forecast higher due to USDA field travel that
indicated a larger rice crop.  The weather was favorable in the
rice growing areas - southern North Korea.  Although yield is
above the 5-year average, it is still below the levels prior to
1992/93.
                       OILSEEDS
                           
World                  279.5          -0.4         -0     +8
                   
Production is projected lower based on declines in the United States
and the total foreign category.
United States           84.7          -0.0         -0    +13
                   
Production is forecast down based on a slight drop in cottonseed
yield.
Total Foreign           194.8         -0.4         -0     +6
                   
Production is estimated lower due to declines in the Former Soviet
Union that more than offset increases in India, China, Canada, and
France.
FSU-12                    8.9         -1.1        -11     +4
                   
Production is estimated lower as poor harvest weather damaged the
sunflower crops in the Ukraine and Russia.  In addition, seed-cotton
deliveries in  some Central Asian Republics were lower than expected.
India                    26.5         +0.4         +1       +2
                   
Production is forecast higher due to well-distributed rainfall,
minimal disease damage, and a larger soybean area.
China                    39.4         +0.2         +1        -5
                   
Production is estimated higher based on reports from several
provinces indicating higher cottonseed yields than  previously
projected.
Canada                    9.0         +0.1         +1       +23
                   
Production is estimated up as Statistics Canada reported a higher
rapeseed yield.
France                    5.8         +0.1         +2       +13
                   
Production is estimated higher due to harvest results which indicate
a higher rapeseed yield.
                       PALM OIL
World                    17.7           +01        +0         +2
                   
Production is estimated higher due to revisions in the production
series for Ghana.
                         COTTON                                                          
    
                  ------1997/98------           CHANGE
                  CURRENT     MONTHLY  MONTHLY  FROM
COUNTRY           ESTIMATE    CHANGE   CHANGE   1996/97
                   MBALES      MBALES  PERCENT  PERCENT
World Total         90.1        -0.1     -0        +1
                   
Production is forecast lower mostly due to a decrease  in the total
foreign category.
United States       18.8        -0.0      -0       -1
Production is virtually unchanged, down less than 1 percent from last
month.  
Total Foreign       71.3        -0.0      -0        +2
                   
Production is forecast slightly down due to lower output in Pakistan,
Egypt, India, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Sudan that more than
offset  higher production in China, Syria, and Mexico.
Pakistan             7.5        -0.2      -3        +3
Production is estimated down as persistent rains in the Punjab during
November reduced both yield and crop quality.
Egypt                1.5        -0.2      -9        -8     
Production is estimated lower as area and yield are reduced based on
official Egyptian Government estimates.
India               12.8        -0.1      -1        -7     
Production is estimated lower as several weeks of late-  season rain
throughout the northern growing area reduced both yield and crop
quality.
Uzbekistan           5.4        -0.1      -2       +14
                   
Production is estimated down as cotton arrivals at gins have slowed
indicating the harvest is near completion.
Turkmenistan         0.9        -0.1     -10       +50
                   
Production is forecast down as cotton arrivals at gins were lower
than expected.  The cotton harvest is drawing to an end.
Sudan                0.4        -0.1     -20       -13     
Production is estimated lower due to unfavorable harvest weather that
reduced yield.
China               18.5        +0.5       +3       -4
                   
Production is estimated up as favorable late-summer and autumn
weather in central China led to higher-than- expected yields in
several provinces.
Syria                1.5        +0.2      +15       +33     
Production is estimated higher due to improved yield prospects
resulting from early sowing and favorable weather during maturation
and harvest allowing additional pickings.
Mexico               0.9        +0.1      +13       -16     
Production is forecast up as favorable late-summer and autumn weather
boosted yield prospects.
    WHEAT : World Production Estimates
    1995/96 - 1996/97 and Forecast 1997/98
    Production, Area, and Yield for Selected Producers
------------------------------------------------------------------
              |          |          |PRELIMINAY|1997/98 FORECAST
  PRODUCER    |  UNIT    | 1995/96  | 1996/97  |Nov.10   Dec.10
------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD
  Production   MIL. MT     537.394    582.392    603.041  604.655
  Area         MIL. HA     219.480    230.935    229.068  229.052
  Yield        MT/HA         2.448      2.522      2.633    2.640
UNITED STATES
  Production   MIL. MT      59.400     62.191     68.761   68.761
  Area         MIL. HA      24.664     25.466     25.729   25.729
  Yield        MT/HA         2.408      2.442      2.673    2.673
TOTAL FOREIGN
  Production   MIL. MT     477.994    520.201    534.280  535.894
  Area         MIL. HA     194.816    205.469    203.339  203.323
  Yield        MT/HA         2.454      2.532      2.628    2.636
ARGENTINA
  Production   MIL. MT       8.600     15.900     12.700   13.200
  Area         MIL. HA       4.500      7.100      5.800    5.800
  Yield        MT/HA         1.911      2.239      2.190    2.276
AUSTRALIA
  Production   MIL. MT      16.504     23.586     17.500   18.000
  Area         MIL. HA       9.721     11.327     10.800   10.800
  Yield        MT/HA         1.698      2.082      1.620    1.667
CANADA
  Production   MIL. MT      25.037     29.801     23.500   24.300
  Area         MIL. HA      11.141     12.262     11.400   11.400
  Yield        MT/HA         2.247      2.430      2.061    2.132
EU-15
  Production   MIL. MT      86.161     98.624     95.750   95.264
  Area         MIL. HA      16.161     16.742     17.076   17.026
  Yield        MT/HA         5.331      5.891      5.607    5.595
FSU-12
  Production   MIL. MT      59.320     62.944     79.220   79.870
  Area         MIL. HA      45.358     47.790     47.605   47.605
  Yield        MT/HA         1.308      1.317      1.664    1.678
EASTERN EUROPE
  Production   MIL. MT      34.970     26.303     34.550   34.550
  Area         MIL. HA       9.705      8.684      9.855    9.855
  Yield        MT/HA         3.603      3.029      3.506    3.506
CHINA
  Production   MIL. MT     102.215    110.570    121.000  121.000
  Area         MIL. HA      28.860     29.610     30.000   30.000
  Yield        MT/HA         3.542      3.734      4.033    4.033
INDIA
  Production   MIL. MT      65.470     62.620     68.700   68.700
  Area         MIL. HA      25.600     25.100     25.900   25.900
  Yield        MT/HA         2.557      2.495      2.653    2.653
PAKISTAN
  Production   MIL. MT      17.002     16.907     17.000   17.000
  Area         MIL. HA       8.170      8.376      8.100    8.100
  Yield        MT/HA         2.081      2.019      2.099    2.099
TURKEY
  Production   MIL. MT      15.500     16.000     16.000   16.000
  Area         MIL. HA       8.550      8.450      8.500    8.500
  Yield        MT/HA         1.813      1.893      1.882    1.882
MEXICO
  Production   MIL. MT       3.468      3.375      3.800    3.800
  Area         MIL. HA       0.929      0.809      0.919    0.919
  Yield        MT/HA         3.733      4.172      4.135    4.135
OTHER W. EUROPE
  Production   MIL. MT       0.946      0.928      0.868    0.868
  Area         MIL. HA       0.167      0.161      0.158    0.158
  Yield        MT/HA         5.665      5.764      5.494    5.494
==================================================================
December 11, 1997        Timothy Rocke, Grains Chairperson, PECAD
    CORN : World Production Estimates
    1995/96 - 1996/97 and Forecast 1997/98
    Production, Area, and Yield for Selected Producers
------------------------------------------------------------------
              |          |          |PRELIMINAY|1997/98 FORECAST
  PRODUCER    |  UNIT    | 1995/96  | 1996/97  |Nov.10   Dec.10
------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD
  Production   MIL. MT     515.490    591.325    569.038  572.628
  Area         MIL. HA     134.197    141.361    140.455  140.695
  Yield        MT/HA         3.841      4.183      4.051    4.070
UNITED STATES
  Production   MIL. MT     187.305    236.064    237.742  237.742
  Area         MIL. HA      26.303     29.602     29.967   29.967
  Yield        MT/HA         7.121      7.975      7.933    7.933
TOTAL FOREIGN
  Production   MIL. MT     328.185    355.261    331.296  334.886
  Area         MIL. HA     107.894    111.759    110.488  110.728
  Yield        MT/HA         3.042      3.179      2.998    3.024
ARGENTINA
  Production   MIL. MT      11.100     14.700     13.000   13.000
  Area         MIL. HA       2.700      3.225      3.000    3.000
  Yield        MT/HA         4.111      4.558      4.333    4.333
SOUTH AFRICA
  Production   MIL. MT      10.200      9.012      8.500    8.500
  Area         MIL. HA       3.300      3.360      3.200    3.200
  Yield        MT/HA         3.091      2.682      2.656    2.656
THAILAND
  Production   MIL. MT       3.700      3.900      3.300    3.300
  Area         MIL. HA       1.140      1.200      1.030    1.030
  Yield        MT/HA         3.246      3.250      3.204    3.204
EASTERN EUROPE
  Production   MIL. MT      24.772     25.315     28.675   30.175
  Area         MIL. HA       6.849      7.013      6.880    6.880
  Yield        MT/HA         3.617      3.610      4.168    4.386
EU-15
  Production   MIL. MT      29.224     34.803     36.425   37.885
  Area         MIL. HA       3.732      4.095      4.240    4.315
  Yield        MT/HA         7.831      8.499      8.591    8.780
FSU-12
  Production   MIL. MT       7.010      4.824      7.065    6.965
  Area         MIL. HA       2.465      2.136      2.753    2.718
  Yield        MT/HA         2.844      2.258      2.566    2.563
MEXICO
  Production   MIL. MT      17.780     19.500     19.000   18.500
  Area         MIL. HA       7.800      8.200      8.500    8.500
  Yield        MT/HA         2.279      2.378      2.235    2.176
CHINA
  Production   MIL. MT     112.000    127.470    105.000  105.000
  Area         MIL. HA      22.767     24.498     23.500   23.500
  Yield        MT/HA         4.919      5.203      4.468    4.468
BRAZIL
  Production   MIL. MT      32.480     36.160     33.000   33.000
  Area         MIL. HA      13.767     13.877     13.200   13.200
  Yield        MT/HA         2.359      2.606      2.500    2.500
PHILIPPINES
  Production   MIL. MT       4.324      4.250      4.200    4.200
  Area         MIL. HA       2.760      2.730      2.700    2.700
  Yield        MT/HA         1.567      1.557      1.556    1.556
INDONESIA
  Production   MIL. MT       6.000      6.500      6.500    6.500
  Area         MIL. HA       3.531      3.550      3.500    3.500
  Yield        MT/HA         1.699      1.831      1.857    1.857
CANADA
  Production   MIL. MT       7.271      7.380      6.900    7.180
  Area         MIL. HA       1.003      1.058      1.050    1.050
  Yield        MT/HA         7.249      6.975      6.571    6.838
==================================================================
December 11, 1997        Timothy Rocke, Grains Chairperson, PECAD
    SOYBEANS : World Production Estimates
    1995/96 - 1996/97 and Forecast 1997/98
    Production, Area, and Yield for Selected Producers
------------------------------------------------------------------
              |          |          |PRELIMINAY|1997/98 FORECAST
  PRODUCER    |  UNIT    | 1995/96  | 1996/97  |Nov.10   Dec.10
------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD
  Production   MIL. MT     124.964    131.168    149.167  149.564
  Area         MIL. HA      61.702     63.222     68.925   69.019
  Yield        MT/HA         2.025      2.075      2.164    2.167
UNITED STATES
  Production   MIL. MT      59.243     64.837     74.465   74.465
  Area         MIL. HA      24.938     25.661     28.254   28.254
  Yield        MT/HA         2.376      2.527      2.636    2.636
TOTAL FOREIGN
  Production   MIL. MT      65.721     66.331     74.702   75.099
  Area         MIL. HA      36.764     37.561     40.671   40.765
  Yield        MT/HA         1.788      1.766      1.837    1.842
ARGENTINA
  Production   MIL. MT      12.430     11.200     14.500   14.500
  Area         MIL. HA       5.980      6.200      6.600    6.600
  Yield        MT/HA         2.079      1.806      2.197    2.197
BRAZIL
  Production   MIL. MT      24.150     26.500     29.000   29.000
  Area         MIL. HA      10.950     11.800     12.800   12.800
  Yield        MT/HA         2.205      2.246      2.266    2.266
PARAGUAY
  Production   MIL. MT       2.400      2.600      2.800    2.800
  Area         MIL. HA       1.100      1.200      1.300    1.300
  Yield        MT/HA         2.182      2.167      2.154    2.154
CHINA
  Production   MIL. MT      13.500     13.220     13.500   13.500
  Area         MIL. HA       8.127      7.470      8.200    8.200
  Yield        MT/HA         1.661      1.770      1.646    1.646
INDONESIA
  Production   MIL. MT       1.517      1.510      1.450    1.450
  Area         MIL. HA       1.280      1.255      1.200    1.200
  Yield        MT/HA         1.185      1.203      1.208    1.208
EASTERN EUROPE
  Production   MIL. MT       0.288      0.344      0.306    0.341
  Area         MIL. HA       0.166      0.201      0.174    0.174
  Yield        MT/HA         1.735      1.711      1.759    1.960
EU-15
  Production   MIL. MT       0.939      1.153      1.442    1.442
  Area         MIL. HA       0.291      0.335      0.428    0.428
  Yield        MT/HA         3.227      3.442      3.369    3.369
CANADA
  Production   MIL. MT       2.293      2.165      2.700    2.700
  Area         MIL. HA       0.824      0.860      1.050    1.050
  Yield        MT/HA         2.783      2.517      2.571    2.571
==================================================================
December 11, 1997        Paul Provance, Oilseeds Chairperson, PECAD
    COTTON : World Production Estimates
    1995/96 - 1996/97 and Forecast 1997/98
    Production, Area, and Yield for Selected Producers
------------------------------------------------------------------
              |          |          |PRELIMINAY|1997/98 FORECAST
  PRODUCER    |  UNIT    | 1995/96  | 1996/97  |Nov.10   Dec.10
------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD
  Production   MIL. BALES   92.982     89.172     90.174   90.110
  Area         MIL. HA      35.933     33.870     33.978   33.977
  Yield        KG/HA       563.400    573.224    577.823  577.430
UNITED STATES
  Production   MIL. BALES   17.900     18.942     18.848   18.819
  Area         MIL. HA       6.478      5.208      5.438    5.442
  Yield        KG/HA       602.000    792.000    755.000  753.000
TOTAL FOREIGN
  Production   MIL. BALES   75.082     70.230     71.326   71.291
  Area         MIL. HA      29.455     28.662     28.540   28.535
  Yield        KG/HA       555.000    533.000    544.000  544.000
AUSTRALIA
  Production   MIL. BALES    1.970      2.788      2.900    2.900
  Area         MIL. HA       0.301      0.395      0.430    0.430
  Yield        KG/HA      1425.000   1537.000   1468.000 1468.000
CENTRAL AMERICA
  Production   MIL. BALES    0.065      0.029      0.024    0.024
  Area         MIL. HA       0.019      0.011      0.010    0.010
  Yield        KG/HA       745.000    574.000    523.000  523.000
EGYPT
  Production   MIL. BALES    1.088      1.568      1.600    1.450
  Area         MIL. HA       0.306      0.387      0.370    0.360
  Yield        KG/HA       774.000    882.000    942.000  877.000
MEXICO
  Production   MIL. BALES    0.974      1.077      0.800    0.900
  Area         MIL. HA       0.318      0.246      0.200    0.200
  Yield        KG/HA       667.000    953.000    871.000  980.000
PAKISTAN
  Production   MIL. BALES    8.200      7.300      7.700    7.500
  Area         MIL. HA       3.048      3.200      3.200    3.200
  Yield        KG/HA       586.000    497.000    524.000  510.000
SUDAN
  Production   MIL. BALES    0.490      0.460      0.500    0.400
  Area         MIL. HA       0.220      0.280      0.260    0.265
  Yield        KG/HA       485.000    358.000    419.000  329.000
TURKEY
  Production   MIL. BALES    3.911      3.600      3.300    3.300
  Area         MIL. HA       0.757      0.744      0.700    0.700
  Yield        KG/HA      1125.000   1054.000   1026.000 1026.000
FSU-12
  Production   MIL. BALES    8.260      6.500      7.600    7.315
  Area         MIL. HA       2.573      2.545      2.605    2.605
  Yield        KG/HA       699.000    556.000    635.000  611.000
ARGENTINA
  Production   MIL. BALES    1.929      1.493      2.100    2.100
  Area         MIL. HA       0.960      0.880      1.000    1.000
  Yield        KG/HA       437.000    369.000    457.000  457.000
BRAZIL
  Production   MIL. BALES    1.791      1.300      1.750    1.750
  Area         MIL. HA       1.130      0.695      0.900    0.900
  Yield        KG/HA       345.000    407.000    423.000  423.000
CHINA
  Production   MIL. BALES   21.900     19.300     18.000   18.500
  Area         MIL. HA       5.422      4.722      4.500    4.500
  Yield        KG/HA       879.000    890.000    871.000  895.000
INDIA
  Production   MIL. BALES   13.250     13.781     12.900   12.800
  Area         MIL. HA       9.063      9.166      9.000    9.000
  Yield        KG/HA       318.000    327.000    312.000  310.000
==================================================================
December 11, 1997         Ron Roberson, Cotton Chairperson, PECAD
    RICE (Milled Basis) : World Production Estimates
    1995/96 - 1996/97 and Forecast 1997/98
    Production, Area, and Yield for Selected Producers
------------------------------------------------------------------
              |          |          |PRELIMINAY|1997/98 FORECAST
  PRODUCER    |  UNIT    | 1995/96  | 1996/97  |Nov.10   Dec.10
------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD
  Production   MIL. MT     371.146    378.928    381.945  382.701
  Area         MIL. HA     147.917    148.666    148.530  148.622
  Yield        MT/HA         2.509      2.549      2.572    2.575
UNITED STATES
  Production   MIL. MT       5.631      5.595      5.878    5.878
  Area         MIL. HA       1.252      1.133      1.229    1.229
  Yield        MT/HA         4.498      4.938      4.783    4.783
TOTAL FOREIGN
  Production   MIL. MT     365.515    373.333    376.067  376.823
  Area         MIL. HA     146.665    147.533    147.301  147.393
  Yield        MT/HA         2.492      2.531      2.553    2.557
PAKISTAN
  Production   MIL. MT       3.936      4.260      4.300    4.300
  Area         MIL. HA       2.162      2.230      2.200    2.200
  Yield        MT/HA         1.821      1.910      1.955    1.955
BURMA
  Production   MIL. MT       9.860      9.000      9.600    9.600
  Area         MIL. HA       5.666      5.600      5.650    5.650
  Yield        MT/HA         1.740      1.607      1.699    1.699
THAILAND
  Production   MIL. MT      14.388     13.700     14.000   14.000
  Area         MIL. HA       9.032      9.175      9.200    9.200
  Yield        MT/HA         1.593      1.493      1.522    1.522
CHINA
  Production   MIL. MT     129.650    136.570    137.000  137.000
  Area         MIL. HA      30.745     31.406     31.400   31.400
  Yield        MT/HA         4.217      4.349      4.363    4.363
INDONESIA
  Production   MIL. MT      33.215     32.000     33.300   33.300
  Area         MIL. HA      11.570     11.300     11.500   11.500
  Yield        MT/HA         2.871      2.832      2.896    2.896
REP. OF KOREA
  Production   MIL. MT       4.694      5.320      4.900    5.450
  Area         MIL. HA       1.056      1.050      1.050    1.050
  Yield        MT/HA         4.445      5.067      4.667    5.190
JAPAN
  Production   MIL. MT       9.781      9.413      9.000    9.000
  Area         MIL. HA       2.118      1.977      1.960    1.960
  Yield        MT/HA         4.618      4.761      4.592    4.592
BRAZIL
  Production   MIL. MT       6.834      6.628      6.500    6.500
  Area         MIL. HA       3.880      3.570      3.550    3.550
  Yield        MT/HA         1.761      1.857      1.831    1.831
AUSTRALIA
  Production   MIL. MT       0.680      1.006      0.850    0.850
  Area         MIL. HA       0.149      0.166      0.140    0.140
  Yield        MT/HA         4.564      6.060      6.071    6.071
PHILIPPINES
  Production   MIL. MT       7.263      7.300      7.300    7.300
  Area         MIL. HA       3.924      3.900      3.900    3.900
  Yield        MT/HA         1.851      1.872      1.872    1.872
INDIA
  Production   MIL. MT      79.620     80.540     81.500   81.500
  Area         MIL. HA      42.300     42.700     42.200   42.200
  Yield        MT/HA         1.882      1.886      1.931    1.931
BANGLADESH
  Production   MIL. MT      17.687     18.420     18.500   18.500
  Area         MIL. HA       9.941     10.030     10.000   10.000
  Yield        MT/HA         1.779      1.836      1.850    1.850
==================================================================
December 11, 1997        Timothy Rocke, Grains Chairperson, PECAD
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