January 1, 2007

 

Argentina's wheat harvest surges

 

 

As of Dec 28, Argentina's farmers had brought in 82 percent of the 2006/07 wheat crop, compared with 63 percent a week ago, the Agriculture Secretariat said in its weekly crop report.

 

At this time last year, 71 percent of the wheat crop had been harvested.

 

Yields are mixed in some areas due to early drought but crop conditions are generally good, according to the Secretariat.

 

Argentina will produce 13.7 million tonnes of wheat in 2006/07, according to the Agriculture Secretariat.

 

The USDA is expecting 14.2 million tonnes of wheat from the 2006/07 crop. The Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange puts production at 13.8 million tonnes.

 

 

Soy

 

As of Dec 28, Argentine farmers had seeded 84 percent of the record 16 million hectares expected to be dedicated to soy this year, the Secretariat said.

 

Farmers had planted 89 percent of the crop at the same date last year, the Secretariat said.

 

The USDA estimates that Argentina will produce 42 million tonnes of soy from the 2006/07 crop.

 

 

Corn

 

Farmers had planted 91 percent of the area planned for corn, in line with the planting pace at this time last year, the Secretariat said.

 

Argentina will plant an estimated 3.45 million hectares of corn during the 2006/07 crop cycle, up from 3.18 million in 2005/06, according to the Agriculture Secretariat.

 

The USDA sees Argentina's 2006/07 corn production at 19 million tonnes.