Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 12. 10. 2010

FAO: In spite of high growth, cereals prices are under tops from 2008

International prices of wheat, corn and rice grew intensely in summer, among others also owing to a ban of export from Russia affected by a drought, however, they still remain under their tops from the year 2008. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of UNO stated it today. From July, the rise in wheat prices has invoked fears from a possible repeating of a food crisis in 2008. It brought commontions in developing countries and panic purchases in rich countries. “At October beginning, international (wheat) prices were higher by 40 % than last year, however, they stay 42 percents under their top from 2008”, the FAO presented on its internets sites.

CSO decreased harvest estimation, fall by 10.1 is expected in cereals

The Czech Statistic Office decreased an estimation of this year´s harvest today. According to data processed to the half of September, the harvest of basic cereals should reach 7.029 million tones which is by 10.1 percent less against the real last year´s harvest. Rape harvest has been almost finished to the September 15. An estimated production of this crop-plant amounts to 1.062 million tones which is by 66.000 tonnes (by 5.8 percents) less than a record harvest in 2009 was. CSO stated it. An estimated potato harvest in total in height 666.000 tonnes is in comparison with the last year´s harvest lower by 11.5 percents.

Chief of Lesy: State has bargained away billion in wood sale. But does not anticipate who caused it

Lesy ČR bargains away in a disadvantageous contract with the firm Hradecká lesní a dřevařská společnost (forest and woodworking company). At the end of this year, after 16 years, the contract ends. The state bargained away in wood sale one billion crowns only the last three years. Svatopluk Sýkora, a director of the state firm Lesy ČR asserts. According to him it is caused by a disadvantageous contract of Lesy ČR with a half-state firm Hradecká lesní a dřevařská společnost (HLDS), through which they sell wood. “Over 310 million crowns yearly of unsubstantiated costs. It is a sum which, according to us, HLDS spend and consume uselessly. Than, it can be multiplied by years.”

Hašek: Growth of lower VAT rate will raise food prices by more than 3 pct

A planned growth of reduced rate of added value tax would increase the food price by more than three percents. A hetman of South-Moravian region and a shadow minister of agriculture Michal Hašek (ČSSD) said it at a press conference today. At the same time, he referred to an influence of growing energy prices and a worse cereals crop. The Minister of Agriculture Ivan Fuksa (ODS) expects a roughly three percent increase in consumer food prices in connection with a possible growth of VAT rate. However, businessmen and farmers agree with Hašek. “I believe that the VAT growth will show itself in a bigger extent that the Minister of Agriculture tells to the nation”.