Brasília, April 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The secretary of agricultural policy in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ivan Wedekin, believes that the scenario for Brazilian exports of corn, soybeans, cotton, and meat in the 2004/2005 harvest will be positive. This is due to the rise in prices on the international market.

In the case of corn, Wedekin explains, conditions are favorable, because over the last few years there has been a reduction in world stocks and an increase in consumption.

The secretary also foresees an increase in the area in which grains are cultivated in Brazil in the subsequent harvest. "In the next harvest, Brazil will continue to expand its production and exportation of cotton. We shall also experience a continuation of growth in meat exports," he predicts.

Translator: David Silberstein