April 7, 2009

Heavy rains over Brazil's top soy producing state, Mato Grosso, have disrupted the latter stages of the harvest and caused some losses, the state Farm Economy Institute (IMEA) said on Monday (Apr 6).

Farmers in Mato Grosso had harvested 91 percent of the expected crop by April 3, compared with 86 percent a year earlier. IMEA estimates the planted area at 5.58 million hectares.

According to IMEA report, harvesting in the west of the state rose only by four percent n one week, adding that Sapezal, the first region to sow soy has not finished harvesting yet due to the recurrent rain.

The report said that some areas of the central western state, showers obstructed farmers' work in the fields for up to 10 days straight.

IMEA said some harvested soy showed a high content of humidity and was already damaged adding that it was, however, still too early to estimate losses.

Mato Grosso's soy crop has been developing well so far, with output estimated at 17 million tonnes, down slightly from last season, when yields were at a record high.