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Scientists see chance of US drought

There has not been a major drought in the US midwest since 1988, but forecasters worry the grain-producing area's luck could dry up this year, Reuters reported, further squeezing tight global supplies amid soaring food prices.

The corn belt has a one in three chance of drought this year, the report quoted Iowa-based climatologist Elwynn Taylor as saying. "We do

have to be prepared," Taylor was quoted saying. "A 33% chance is high, that’s a risk."

World grain stocks already are at historically low levels. Further shortages would intensify competition between importing countries for
available grain supplies, said Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute.

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