'RI to import corn in 2002'

'RI to import corn in 2002'

Indonesia's corn imports in 2002 are seen rising to 1.1 million tons from around 975,000 this year, with the United States increasing its market share at China's expense, a U.S. grains trade official said on Wednesday.

China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would force the country to reduce its corn sales due to farm export subsidies regulations, said Ali Basry, a representative of the U.S. Grains Council for Indonesia.

"It (China's entry) will give more room for U.S. corn. Corn imports in 2002 is expected at 1.1 million, and the U.S. is seen taking more than half of it," Basry told Reuters in an interview.

"Corn imports will reach 975,000 tons at the end of this year. Around 450,000 tons, or 46 percent, come from the United States," he said.

Only 195,000 tons of corn were bought from the U.S. in 2000, Basry said.

Imports from the U.S. are also supported by farm export credit guarantees, known as the GSM program, given to Indonesian buyers. -- Reuters