IN SHORT: Italy raises 2011 wheat output estimate

Italy, a major grain importer in Europe, produced more soft and durum wheat last year than earlier estimated thanks to larger than expected planted areas, according to revised data from Italy's statistic agency ISTAT. ISTAT has raised its estimate of Italy's 2011 soft wheat output to 2.85 million tonnes from previous estimate of 2.72 million tonnes as it has revised upwards planted areas view to 531,135 hectares (ha) from 507,944 ha, ISTAT data showed.
ISTAT has also raised its estimate of Italy's 2011 durum wheat output to 3.86 million tonnes from its previous estimate of 3.83 million tonnes thanks to an increase in planted areas to 1.19 million ha from 1.16 million ha, the data showed. Both revised output figures showed that wheat crops in 2011 were still below those of 2010 which came in at 2.93 million tonnes for soft wheat and at 4.01 million tonnes for durum wheat, the data showed. ISTAT has left 2011 maize crop estimate unchanged at 9.58 million tonnes. Italy's 2011 barley output rose to 0.90 million tonnes from an earlier estimate of 0.86 million tonnes, according to ISTAT's revised data.