January 14, 2009

Brazil's southern states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul expect to receive a mix of showers and sunny weather during the rest of January in soy growing areas, according to local weather service Somar Tuesday (January 13).

 

The rain will bring some relief to soy farmers that have experienced dry weather since mid-November.

 

Due to the dry weather across many parts of the south of Brazil, local consultancy Celeres on Monday cut its soy crop estimate 2 percent to 58.5 million tonnes for 2008-09 compared to 2007-08.

 

Towns such as Cascavel and Toledo in Parana, Brazil's No. 2 soy-growing state, are also seeing showers Tuesday, with around 14 millimetres expected, said Somar.

 

Rain should continue to fall throughout the week culminating with over 20 millimetres Sunday.

 

The temperatures in Parana's key soy areas will hover mainly between the high teens and low 30s Celsius.

 

Campo Mourao, further north in Parana, will also see around 13 millimetres of rain Tuesday. The rain will continue steadily for the coming week, giving the soil a good sprinkling.

 

Parana state's agricultural secretariat, or Seab, recently said that the state has lost around 3 million metric tonnes of grain crops such as soy and corn.

 

Rio Grande do Sul state, the No.3 soy producing state, is also seeing rain across many soy growing areas.

 

For instance, areas around towns such as Santo Angelo and Passo Fundo are seeing rain Tuesday with up to 25 millimetres expected. But the showers will dry up until Sunday when 6 millimetres should fall.

 

Somar said that the rains will be enough to help improve the moisture in the soil.

 

Southward, Cruz Alta will see mainly sunny weather, with some showers of up to 43 millimetres Wednesday. Then, the rains will subside until Sunday.

 

Although rain is expected during January in Mato Grosso, the No.1 soy producing state, this shouldn't impact the harvest, local news service Estado reported Paulo Etchichury, director of Somar, as saying.

 

Mato Grosso has planted all of its soy crop and farmers are staring to harvest the first beans.

 

However, Etchichury said rains could increase in February and may impair the soy harvest in Mato Grosso, Estado reported.

 

Brazil is the world's second largest soy producer after the US.