September 12, 2007

Brazil's 2007 wheat crop estimate at 3.9 million tonnes

Brazil should harvest 3.9 million tonnes of wheat from the 2007 winter wheat crop, the agriculture research department of the national census bureau, IBGE, reported Tuesday (September 11).

IBGE researchers cited current dry weather and a July frost in some areas of Parana state for the lower estimate. In the July report, IBGE estimated a 4.1 million ton harvest. Parana is Brazil's No. 1 wheat producing state.

Despite the 3.2 percent drop in the August estimate, IBGE's projection is now more in line with the official estimate of 3.9 million tonnes made by the National Commodities Supply Corporation, or Conab, on Sept. 4.

Brazil harvested 2.2 million tonnes in the 2006/07 season. Brazil is one of the world's top two wheat importing nations, consuming more than 10.5 million tonnes annually.