July 4, 2005

Brazilian GM soybeans devastated by recent drought
 

Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state has seen a severe 72 percent fall in its GM soybean harvest following the recent drought. Rio Grande do Sul is the biggest user of GM giant Monsanto's technology.

Monsanto reported soybean yield losses at 80 percent in some areas of Rio Grande do Sul, while soy exports are expected to drop 95 percent there.

Industry reports from Rio Grande do Sul cite 25 percent higher crop losses in GM soy crops as compared with conventional ones. Meanwhile, Mato Grosso state's governor has declared that he would not plant GM soy next year.

Mato Grosso accounts for 25 percent of Brazil's soy production.