September 5, 2006

 

Argentina's 2006/07 wheat crop 96 percent planted

 

 

Argentine farmers had planted 96 percent of the 2006/07 wheat crop by Aug 31, the Agriculture Secretariat reported over the weekend.

 

That puts the planting pace up from 95 percent a week ago but down from 98 percent at the same time last year.

 

So far farmers have planted 5,163,990 hectares, according to the Secretariat.

 

Nationwide, crop conditions vary, but insufficient moisture is affecting numerous areas, the Secretariat said.

 

The Secretariat has forecast planted area at 5.4 million hectares, up from 5.05 million tonnes a year earlier.

 

Planting has been completed in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Entre Rios and Santa Fe provinces, but was only 25 percent complete in La Pampa Province.

 

Buenos Aires Province accounts for 55.6 percent of Argentina's wheat production, Santa Fe 13.4 percent, Cordoba 14.1 percent, while La Pampa Province accounts for just 6 percent. Seeding in La Pampa has been affected by drought and crop conditions are poor in planted areas.

 

The Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange said Friday that Argentina has basically completed planting 5.38 million hectares with wheat for the 2006/07 crop season.

 

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

 

"More than a few areas are entering the stages of higher water needs," the Exchange said.

 

However, "if the spring rains don't delay, high yields are foreseeable," the Exchange said.

 

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.

 

The US Department of Agriculture has forecast Argentina's 2006/07 wheat crop at 13.5 million tonnes.

 

The Secretariat hasn't released a formal forecast for 2006/07 wheat production.