November 6, 2007

Argentina accelerates soy planting, record area dedicated to soy

Farmers in Argentina made significant progress with sowing 2007/08 soy last week and the first plants are germinating well, the Agriculture Secretariat said Monday (November 6, 2007).

The 2006/07 soy harvest in the South American country, which is also the world's largest soymeal and soyoil provider, yielded a record 47.6 million tonnes.

More land is being dedicated this season.

The government estimates a record soy area of 16.5 million hectares (40.8 million acres), about 2 percent more than during the prior cycle. A harvest of 47 million tonnes is expected, according to the USDA. 

In the top growing district, Cordoba, and Buenos Aires province, the second biggest soy producer, showers accelerated planting, according to the government's weekly crop progress report.

The rains, though light, were opportune because a lack of soil moisture had started to become evident, said the report.

Argentina is the world's third biggest soy exporter, behind US and Brazil.