Brasília, 2/20/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - This year's Brazilian grain harvest is expected to be up 6.2% over last year. According to minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, the harvest should reach 130.8 million tons, compared to 123.2 million tons in 2003.

Heavy rainfall has been detrimental to soybeans and beans, but turned out to be good for rice and corn crops. (AB)