November 7, 2006

Argentina's soy exports down 44.5 percent on-year in August

Argentina's year-on-year soybean exports fell 44.5 percent in August, the latest Agriculture Secretariat data show.

Argentina exported 584,401 tonnes of soybeans in August, down from 1,053,853 tonnes a year ago.

China imported 387,601 tonnes that month, 43.4 percent less than the 684,567 tonnes it bought a year ago.

Egypt ranked second, importing 91,317 tonnes compared with 70,588 tonnes a year ago.

Thailand came in third with 57,227 tonnes against 88,413 tonnes the previous year.

Argentina is the world's no. 3 soybean producer and exporter behind the US and Brazil.

The US Department of Agriculture estimates Argentina's 2005/06 soybean production at a record 40.5 million tonnes, up from 39 million tonnes a year earlier.