World corn production is expected to rise 4.2% from last season's 826.4 million metric tons in 2011-12, the International Grains Council said Thursday, increasing its previous estimate by 7.7 million tons.

"Despite a smaller U.S. crop and a worsening outlook for South America, total maize (corn) production in 2011-12 is forecast to increase by 4%, to a record 861 million tons," the IGC said. "Harvests in China and Ukraine were especially large and, although forecasts have been reduced this month, Argentina and Brazil are still expected to produce record crops," the IGC said in its monthly report.

Ths U.S. is expected to produce 313.9 million tons of corn--0.9 million tons more than predicted in November--while crops in South American producers Brazil and Argentina are seen at 59 million and 23 million tons, respectively.

European corn output is pegged at an unprecedented 65 million tons -- 0.3 million tons more than predicted in November, the London-based body said.

-By Neena Rai, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420-7842-9450; neena.rai@dowjones.com.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 19, 2012 09:16 ET (14:16 GMT)
DJ UPDATE:IGC Raises World 11-12 Corn Output View 7.7M Tons To 860.8M Tons->copyright