November 15, 2004

Brazil 2004-05 Soy Planting 50% Complete

Brazilian farmers have planted 50% of their potentially record 2004-05 soybean crop up to Friday, moving forward briskly from 33% last week, said the local agricultural consultants Safras e Mercado Friday.
 
Planting is on par with the 50% planted at the same stage last year but slightly behind the five-year average of 52%.
 
Fieldwork is most advanced in Parana state, where farmers had sown 69% of the crop, marginally slower than 70% last year.
 
Planting was 65% complete in the center-west state of Mato Grosso, on a par with the 64% planted at this stage last year and the five-year average of 63%.
 
Safras forecast Brazil's 2004-05 soybean production will total 63.2 million metric tons, up from 49.9 million tons produced last year.