Macedonia could be facing renewed animal feed shortages in 2008, according to the Agriculture Minister Aco Spasenoski.

Corn exports from the United States are projected to reach a record 62 million tonnes in trade year 2007/08, up 2 million tonnes this month, according to the monthly outlook from the Agriculture Research Service of the American agriculture ministry USDA.

Global wheat prices skyrocket due to low stocks and risk of drought affecting the US crop. As a result in Chicago the price per bushel passed the $10 threshold for the first time.

Asia's biggest supplier of soybean meal, is on track for record exports of the animal feed this year after selling 2.5 million tonnes since October, a spokesman for the Indian soybean-processing industry said.

China continues to sell its maize reserves and plans to sell an additional 500,000 tonnes to feed mills in the south next week. This way, China tries to bring down food prices.

Russia is likely to impose additional restrictions on grain exports after February 1, according to Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev.

Tariffs between 5 and 25% on grain exports are to be imposed in China during 2008, according to the Finance Ministry in a statement last week.

Russia will introduce a 40% export duty on wheat, meslin (wheat and rye mixed), and barley. This duty will take effect from January 29, 2008 and will apply until April 30, 2008.

The CP Group plans to enlarge its maize plantations in four neighbouring countries by another 1.67 million rai to provide feed for the group's livestock business.

Global 2007/08 wheat production is raised 0.6 million tonnes this month according to the latest forecast of the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture.