March 5, 2007

 

Argentina's corn and soy crops benefit from rain

 

 

Heavy rainfall this week has boosted Argentina's 2006/07 soybean and corn crops but is causing delays in the sunseed harvest, the Agriculture Secretariat said in its weekly crop report Friday (Mar 2).

 

 

Soy

 

This week's rainfall helped soy development in Buenos Aires Province, particularly in the southern areas where dry conditions had been stressing the crop.

 

The crop is reaching maturity in many areas and the harvest is expected to begin soon, the Secretariat said.

 

In general the crop is in good condition across the country, although high moisture levels could increase diseases in Entre Rios Province, the Secretariat said.

 

The Secretariat sees 42.5 million to 44.5 million tonnes of soybeans coming from the 2006/07 crop, while the US Department of Agriculture forecasts production at 44 million tonnes.

 

 

Corn

 

The 2006/07 corn crop is in good condition, although this week's rains arrived too late to improve conditions in the south of Buenos Aires and La Pampa Provinces, the Secretariat said.

 

The crop is reaching maturity in many areas, according to the Secretariat.

 

The Secretariat forecasts 21-22 million tonnes of corn coming from this year's crop, while the USDA pegs output at 21 million tonnes.

 

 

Sunseed

 

As of March 1, farmers had harvested 32 percent of the 2006/07 sunseed crop, three points ahead of the harvest pace at this time last year. However, this week's rainfall slowed the harvest, the Secretariat said.

 

The Secretariat sees 2006/07 sunseed production of 3.9-4.1 million tonnes. The USDA forecasts 4 million tonnes of sunseeds coming from Argentina this year.