September 14, 2006

Grain harvest in Brazil to grow 5.3 percent

Brazil's grain crop is expected to reach 120 million tonnes this year due to productivity gains, a study by the National Food Supply Company (Conab) said.

The figure represents an increase of 5.3 percent  over last year's crop (2004-2005). Productivity was the main factor for growth, powered mainly by maize, cotton and rice crops.

However, cultivated area has shrunk 3.7 percent , from 49.1 million hectares in the last harvest to 47.3 million hectares in the 2005/2006 crop. Soy acreage fell 4.6 percent and wheat 14.3 percent while area for corn remained stable.