Argentine 2005-06 wheat export commitments rose to 8.155 million tonnes as of Friday, up from 8.15 million tonnes a week earlier, the Agriculture Secretariat said. By the same date last year, Argentina had sold 11.045 million tonnes of the grain. The government reported sales in the last week of 5,000 tonnes to Brazil.
Farmers finished harvesting the 2005-06 crop in January and the US Department of Agriculture forecasts Argentine exports at 8.2 million tonnes. Supply is short this season because drought cut 2005-06 wheat production to 12.6 million tonnes from 16.0 million tonnes in the prior crop year.