August 28, 2006

 

Argentina 2006/07 wheat planting 99.1 percent complete

 

 

Argentine farmers completed 99.1 percent of 2006/07 wheat crop planting by Friday (Aug 25), the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange reported.

 

The exchange forecasts that 5.43 million hectares will be planted with wheat this year, but noted that dry weather made it "very likely" that planted area will be reduced to 5.38 million hectares.

 

Earlier this month the Exchange had forecast 5.45 million hectares but lowered its estimate based in dry weather which prevented planting.

 

The Exchange said that last year area planted with wheat totalled 5.02 million hectares.

 

In 2005/06 Argentina produced 12.01 million tonnes of wheat, according to the Exchange. That was down from 16.345 million tonnes a year earlier, when good weather helped lift yields on a bigger planted area.

 

The US Department of Agriculture has forecast Argentina's 2006/07 wheat crop at 14.3 million tonnes.

 

The Agriculture Secretariat estimates 2006/07 wheat planting at 5.4 million hectares, but the drought may cause planted area to fall to 5.1 million hectares, Agricultural Secretariat Cabinet Chief Patricio Lamarca said.

 

 

Corn

 

Corn seeding has begun in several provinces despite the drought and cold temperatures. As of Friday, 0.8 percent of the 2006/07 corn crop had been planted, compared to 0.4 percent at this time last year, the Exchange said.

 

The Exchange estimated that 2.47 million hectares will be planted with 2006/07 corn, up 5 percent from last year.

 

The Agriculture Secretariat sees 3.2-3.3 million hectares planted with corn during the 2006/07 crop cycle.

 

The US Department of Agriculture estimates that Argentina will produce 17.5 million tonnes of corn during 2006/07.