January 12, 2006

Soybean rust eating its way into Brazil

Outbreaks of the Asian soybean rust in Brazil are getting more severe with 171 cases reported in the current season and 120 cases in December alone, according to Embrapa, Brazil's crop research institute.

4.5 million tonnes of soybeans were lost to the Asian Soybean Rust in the 2004-05 season--the same amount as the year before.

There were 51 million tonnes of soybeans harvested, 9 million tonnes less than predicted--mainly because of rust and a prolonged drought in the southern states. The loss amounts to about US$1.2 billion.