www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

The European Commission published a report on "Prospects for agricultural
markets in the European Union 2004-2011". The publication covers the EU-25.
According to the report, the medium-term perspectives for the EU cereals,
meat and dairy markets appear relatively favourable. The medium-term outlook
of the EU cereals market continues to be favourable with the exception of
barley. Domestic cereals use is expanding only moderately due to a less
expansive livestock sector and gains in feeding efficiency in many new
Member States. The conditions for exports remain positive and public stocks,
mainly those of barley, should only gradually expand. The meat markets have
returned to a more normal situation after the extreme market conditions due
to the second BSE scare, the FMD outbreak in 2001 and avian influenza in
2003. The current situation in the beef market - where consumption is higher
than domestic production - is expected to persist over the 2004-2011 period.
Pig and poultry production and consumption are expected to keep growing over
the medium term, with increased trade flows between the new and old Member
States. The EU dairy sector is also foreseen to display a gradual
improvement after the recent imbalance, with increasing cheese production
and consumption and, at the same time, lower availability of butter and
skimmed milk powder.

Full text, presentation and data sets under:

[europa.eu.int]
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