Grain exports from the French port of Rouen totalled 261,105 tonnes for October 1-26, comprising 189,941 tonnes of wheat and 71,164 tonnes of barley, port officials said on Monday.

That compared with total grain exports of 544,000 tonnes in the whole of October last year, comprising 499,000 tonnes of wheat and 45,000 tonnes of barley.

Officials said two vessels were in port on Monday, loading 59,000 tonnes of wheat for Egypt and for West Africa.

Another two vessels were expected by Wednesday to load 44,000 tonnes of wheat for unspecified destinations.

Copyright Reuters, 2005