Turkey: Barley crop forecast to rise in 2010

Turkey, the biggest Middle East grain producer, probably will reap more barley this year after rain replenished soil moisture, Hurriyet Daily News cited the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization on June, 9.

Barley output will gain to 7.5 million tons from 7.2 million tons, the FAO said.

Turkey imported a record 4.48 million tons of grain in the year through June 2009 after drought affected its east and southeast, the FAO said. The country is the Middle East’s second-most-populous nation after Egypt, the world’s biggest wheat importer.

Abundant rain from October to March “increased soil moisture across the country, benefiting crop establishment and growth” in Turkey, the Rome-based FAO said. “Rains continued positively in April and May, boosting yields during the reproductive and filling stage.”

Harvesting of the 2010 winter barley crops in Turkey is about to start and prospects are favorable, the agency said.

09 June, 2010