August 10, 2006

Brazil's 2005/06 wheat crop estimated at 4.8 million tonnes

Brazil should harvest 4.8 million tonnes of wheat in the 2005/06 crop, the National Commodities Supply Corp (Conab) said Wednesday (Aug 9), down from 5.8 million tonnes harvested in the previous crop.

The total has not changed from Conab's July estimate.

Volume declines are largely due to a reduction in planted area this season, down 14.3 percent to 2.3 million hectares. Wheat farmers suffered losses due to drought in 2004/05, causing many to reduce planted area in the 2005/06 crop. Brazil is not a wheat exporter. Half of Brazil's domestic wheat needs are met by Argentine wheat imports.