Argentina's corn and wheat exports shrink in November

Argentina's corn and wheat exports dropped in November 2009 as inventories from the 2008-09 crop dwindled.

 

A drought hit the crops and cut production, with corn output from the 2008-09 season totalling 12.6 million tonnes compared with 22 million tonnes a year earlier. This left less available for export.

 

Argentina exported 385,869 tonnes of corn in November, down 30% from the 548,461 tonnes shipped in the year-earlier period, according to the latest data from the National Food Safety and Quality Service (Senasa).

 

November's corn shipments were valued at US$65.1 million compared with US$117.1 million a year earlier.

 

Corn exports during the first 11 months of 2009 totalled 7,311,513 tonnes, down from 15,176,246 tonnes a year earlier.

 

Iran, Colombia, Algeria, Malaysia, Egypt and Peru were the leading destinations for Argentine corn exports during the 11-month period.

 

Wheat exports also fell as production last season dropped to just 8.4 million tonnes from 18 million tonnes a year earlier.

 

Argentina exported 310,276 tonnes of wheat in November, a third less than the 465,386 tonnes shipped a year earlier, according to Senasa.

 

November wheat exports were valued at US$67.3 million compared with US$121.7 million a year ago.

 

During the first 11 months of the year, Brazil dominated in the purchasing of Argentine wheat, importing 2.65 million tonnes. Iran and Peru followed with 367,286 and 309,581 tonnes, respectively.