EU farm union sees higher 2008-09 cereals harvest

European Union farmers should harvest 293.32 million tonnes of cereals in the 2008-09 (July-June) crop year, up from the 254.99 million tonnes seen in 2007-08, EU farm union Copa-Cogeca said.

"For soft wheat, we expect a
total harvest of almost 130 million tonnes, a 17 percent increase on
last year," said Paul Temple, chairman of Copa-Cogeca's working
party on cereals. "Maize production is also progressing and we
expect around 59 million tonnes, a 25 percent increase on last year,"
he said in a statement.