The total wheat production this year is expected to be around 3.8-3.9 million tons, as against 4.38 million tones produced in 2006, Fülöp Benedek said. The average yield of autumn barley was 3.67 tons per hectare, with yields varying between 2.2 tons and 4.7 tons, he announced.

He also reported that the farmers had already completed the harvest of 82% of wheat. The price of wheat has gone up considerably on the international commodities markets due to lower-than-expected production both in the European Union and in other countries, Benedek added. (wire)