February 22, 2012

Brazil's corn output to hit 60 million in 2012

Increased winter plantings may push Brazil's total corn output, including main and second seasons, to a new record of 60 million tonnes in 2012, a 7% rise, said the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation on Tuesday (Feb 21).

The areas planted for the second season are estimated to expand significantly, including a 29% surge in plantings in the state of Mato Grosso, to offset an expected fall in the main season output after a long dry spell in major southern growing regions, the FAO said in its country brief.

Earlier this month, Brazil's government estimated the country's total corn crop at 60.83 million tonnes this year.

Corn export from Brazil, the world's third-biggest exporter, in the 2011/12 marketing year is seen at about 10 million tonnes, down from the record 11.7 million tonnes in the 2010/11 marketing year. The fall is partly in response to growing demand from the domestic livestock industry, the FAO said.

Dry weather in the main southern growing areas has also hit 2012 soy crops, which are expected to fall 8% from last year, the FAO said without giving precise figures.

Brazil's wheat crops in 2011 are estimated at about 5.6 million tonnes, 6% down on the bumper level of 2010, it said.