February 4, 2005

Brazil 2004-05 soy crop up 28% on year at 63.3 million MT

Brazilian soybean production will total 63.3 million metric tons in the 2004-05 season (October-September), up 28% on the previous season, according to the local Agroconsult agricultural consultancy.

"The current climate conditions are favorable in most of the grain-producing regions," said the consultants.

The crop last year was cut substantially by excessive rain in the center-west, dry weather in the south and attacks of the Asian rust disease.

The forecast is higher than the 61.4 million tons forecast by the Agriculture Ministry in December but lower than the 64.5 million tons forecast by the US Department of Agriculture.