April 25, 2006

Soy farmers in Brazil to reduce soy planted area

Soy producers in Brazil's agricultural state of Mato Grosso are planning to reduce the planted area in the next season in October, the Mato Grosso State Seeds Producers Association (Aprosmat) said Thursday (Apr 18).

The agency forecasts a 30 percent reduction in the soy planted area in the state, from 5.4 million hectares in the previous harvest to 4 million hectares in the next one (2006/07).

Further, it estimates seed production would plunge 35 percent, down from 6.8 million 40-kg bags in the last season.