February 25, 2011

Brazil's top soy regions get break from rains

The rain has stopped over Brazil's top soy producing states - Mato Grosso, Parana and Goias – where the harvest is picking up the pace.

But heavy rains have drenched No. 3 soy state Rio Grande do Sul, making it still weeks away from reaping, local forecaster Somar said Wednesday (Feb 23).

Brazil's soy crop looks increasingly headed for a record harvest after abundant rains in the past months have more than offset the delays in the spring rains in September-October. The risk looks to be too much rain, but so far farmers have had sufficient sun to work their fields.

Rains are expected to pick up over the next five days in No.1 soy state Mato Grosso but intermittent sunshine should keep farmers harvesting when the opportunity arises.

The state has been dry compared with historical averages in February, especially in its southern part. But it has still seen sufficient moisture to keep the crop healthy and filling pods with beans. More rains are on the way.

Second major soy state Parana has been drying out over the past few days after heavy rainfall early in the month. Harvesting in the state is slowly picking up and will peak in March and April.

The fourth soy producing state Goias has seen excellent weather for harvest in the past few days. It is the most advanced of all the producer states in harvesting the new crop. It has in the first 22 days of this month already matched the total average rainfall for all of February, Somar data showed.

At No.3, soy state Rio Grande do Sul is getting drenched by rain this month. Although still weeks away from any substantial harvesting, some isolated farms have started harvest, which is expected to reach a record despite dry weather in November and early December.

In an extended 10-day forecast, Somar said the "weather would clear in the south and centre-west of the country."