Egypt relaxes policy on ergot fungus in wheat - Reuters 

Egypt this week relaxed its “zero-tolerance policy” of ergot fungus in imported wheat, according to Reuters.

The change should make it easier to buy wheat after recent purchase efforts failed to attract offers as sellers apparently were concerned their wheat would be rejected under the zero-tolerance policy.

Egypt is the world’s largest importer of wheat and it will now accept wheat with 0.05% ergot, which is the international standard. The new limit will apply to outstanding and future wheat purchases. Egypt said the zero-tolerance policy led to the suspension of 540,000 metric tons of wheat shipments.

Egypt relaxes wheat policy; Canadian wheat crop gets bigger.

Canadian wheat crop gets bigger, canola and soybeans unchanged

Canada’s spring wheat crop is forecast at 20.6 million metric tons, up 3.9% from 2015 as higher yields should offset fewer acres, said Statistics Canada.

Average yield for spring wheat is now expected at 49.9 bushels per acre, versus 44 in 2015.

Durum wheat production is expected at 7.3 million metric tons, up 35.7% from 2015 due to 4.4% more acres and a 30% rise in average yield.

The canola crop is forecast at 18.3 million metric tons, unchanged from 2015, as a higher yield should offset fewer acres. Soybean production at 6 million also is unchanged from 2015 as a drop in Ontario’s production should be offset by gains in Manitoba.

Corn production should be up 2.9% at 13 million metric tons.

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