India: Wheat Area Surges 45%

Avatar for Matt Hopkins By Scott C. Lucas|28 November 2006

Wheat planting in India through November 17 stood at 7.1 million hectares (Ha), 45% higher than the area planted during the the same period last year. Higher open market prices for wheat and the US $22 per ton increase in the support price to US $167 per ton are the driving forces behind the increased planting.

The increase in area has been reported in all wheat-growing states. Wheat planting will continue through mid-December. While early signs are positive, the quick increase in planted area may also derive in part from the early harvest of paddy rice in northern India, allowing farmers to plant wheat sooner than usual.