May 11, 2011

Brazil's 2010-11 grain harvest to hit record 159.5 million tonnes

Brazil's grains and oilseeds harvest will reach an all-time record of 159.5 million tonnes from 2010 to 2011, according to the Brazilian Commodities Corp (Conab).

In its eighth survey for the 2010 to 2011 crop, Conab forecasts an increase of 6.9% over the 2009 to 2010 crop of 149.2 million tonnes, representing an additional 10.3 million tonnes.

In its prior survey a month ago, Conab had estimated the grains harvest would expand 5.5% in 2010 to 2011 to 157.4 million tonnes.

Planted area is now estimated at 49.3 million hectares, representing an increase of 3.9% (or 1.84 million hectares) versus the previous harvest.

The rise in production is attributed to larger areas of cultivation for cotton (+65.9%), beans (+5%), soy (+2.9%), and rice (+3.7%), and favourable weather conditions.

Soy production is estimated at 73.6 million tonnes, up 7.2% from 2009 to 2010. The corn crop, on the other hand, is expected to shrink to 56 million tonnes from 56.2 million tonnes in the previous harvest.

Conab's survey was conducted between April 25-28 in the South, Southeast, Center-West and Northeast regions, as well as in part of the North region.