August 17 (SeeNews) - The recent 40-day dry spell in Serbia may cut maize output while leading to a drop in the country's exports of this crop, local media reported.
Serbia's maize output may drop 25% compared to last year to around 6 million t while exports will be down by 1 million t to 2 million t thanks to 750,000 t of existing stockpiles, news daily Vecernje Novosti reported on Sunday, quoting the director of local grain industry association Zita Srbije, Vukosav Savkovic.
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The drought has also pushed down river levels, ruling out the use of this transport route from Serbia to the Black Sea for maize exports.
Data published by Serbia's statistics office indicates the area sown with maize fell 2.4% to 1.03 million ha this year.
Last week, trade and telecommunications minister Rasim Ljajic said it was too early to say whether or not the drought will affect the prices of agricultural products while noting that Serbia's wheat crop was expected to be in line with last year's.