August 7, 2009

Brazil's government Thursday (August 6) pegged the 2008-09 Brazilian grain crop at 134.4 million tonnes.

The total grain crop - that includes soy, corn and wheat - fell 6.7 percent from the 144.1 million tonnes in 2007-08.

Conab said that its crop estimate was above its July estimate of 133.7 million tonnes. The favourable weather in the centre-west region helped to stem a three-month slide in the estimates.

Conab said the area planted is pegged at 47.6 million hectares in 2008-09 versus 47.4 million hectares in 2007-08.

The agricultural survey group of Brazil's Census Bureau, or the IBGE, on Thursday also put the 2008-09 grain crop at 134.4 million metric tonnes.

Conab said that 97 percent of the harvest has been completed.

Brazil is the world's No.2 producer of soy.