BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) — Argentina expects a 2013-14 wheat crop of 8.5 million tonnes, up from 8.2 million tonnes in the previous crop year, agriculture minister Carlos Casamiquela told reporters on Thursday.
The estimate is well below that of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which sees an Argentine wheat crop of 11 million tonnes this season. The USDA recently marked the wheat crop forecast down from a previous 12 million tonnes.
Argentine farmers are avoiding wheat planting to skirt export curbs that the government puts on wheat and corn. Growers say the curbs, meant to ensure ample domestic food supply, hurt profits by killing competition among buyers who bid for their crops.
