March 7, 2007

Paraguay sees record 2006/2007 soy output of 6.2 million tonnes
 

Paraguay--the world's No. 4 soy exporter--estimated 2006/2007 production on Monday (March 5) at a record of nearly 6.2 million tonnes due to good weather and the use of seeds better-suited to growing conditions.

The government's agriculture minister, Alfredo Molinas, said the country's oilseed output was estimated at 6.194 million tonnes, with average yields seen at 2.78 tonnes per hectare.

He said the area planted with GMO soybeans had declined slightly this season because farmers had turned to varieties of conventional seeds that he said were more suitable for farming conditions in the South American country.

Soy is Paraguay's top foreign currency earner and its production of the oilseed has grown steadily in recent years, though a drought cut 2005/06 output to 3.6 million tonnes in what was one of the worst harvests in the last decade.

Despite being the No. 4 soy supplier, Paraguay's production of the oilseed is small compared to that of its neighbours Argentina and Brazil.

Brazil is the world's No. 2 soybean supplier followed by Argentina. The United States is the world's leading producer and exporter of the oilseed.

Paraguay's Chamber of Grain and Oilseed Exporters (CAPECO) said last week it expected a 2006/2007 soy harvest of 5.7 million tonnes.