June 28, 2004

Brazil Agriculture Ministry Estimates 2003-04 GMO Soybean Prod At 4.1 Million MT

Brazilian farmers produced an estimated 4.1 million metric tons of genetically modified soybeans in the 2003-04 season, equivalent to 8.2% of the total output of 50.2 million tons, according to the first ever survey of its type, the Agriculture Ministry said Friday.
 
The estimate is based on farmer declarations of GMO planted area demanded by the government as a condition of freeing the use of the technology last season.
 
As expected, the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul was responsible for the overwhelming majority of GMO production, some 88.1% of the 83,580 declarations signed.
 
GMO planted area was 2.78 million hectares in 2003-04, or 13.2% of total area. However, analysts say more soybeans were probably planted illicitly.
 
The government allowed farmers to plant homegrown GMO seeds for the first time last season, regulating a widespread illegal practice.