November 1, 2007

Rain prompts jump in soy planting progress in Brazil 

Brazilian farmers rushed to plant soy after rains ended a dry spell in the centre west of the country, AgRural an agricultural consultancy said.

The planted area of Brazil's 2007/08 soybean crop leapt to 22 percent of the expected area by Oct. 30, up 11 percent from a week ago, according to AgRural. 

Planting was about three weeks behind a year ago due to a longer than normal dry season, but rains began falling about two weeks ago.

They have cleared temporarily over most of the soy belt and planting has caught up to the same planting level as in 2006, when 23 percent of the crop was seeded.

Days of rain alternating with days of clear weather in the top soy producing state of Mato Grosso and No. 2 producer Parana have contributed to the dramatic recovery in planting, AgRural said.

Mato Grosso has seeded 43 percent of its expected area, on par with this time a year ago and up from the 26 percent a week ago, AgRural said.

Parana has planted 25 percent of its crop, up from 22 percent a year ago. No. 3 soy state Rio Grande do Sul has planted 5 percent of its crop, even with planting levels at this time a year ago, AgRural data showed.

AgRural expects the current crop to reach a record 62.8 million tonnes.

More widespread rains are expected in the soy belt through the first 10 days of November.