PARIS: Soft wheat exports from the European Union in the 2019/20 season that started last July had reached 31.33 million tonnes by May 31, official EU data showed on Tuesday.

That was 63pc above the volume cleared by May 26 last year.

EU 2019/20 barley exports had reached 6.78 million tonnes, up 63pc year on year, while EU 2019/20 maize imports stood at 18.54 million tonnes, down 16pc.

The European Commission is continuing to include Britain in its weekly grain export and import data after Britain's exit from the bloc at the end of January.

The weekly data was delayed from Monday because of a public holiday in parts of Europe.