November 22, 2004

Brazil 2004-05 Soy Planting 64% Complete

Brazilian farmers have planted 64% of their potentially record 2004-05 soybean crop up to Friday, moving forward from 50% last week, said local agricultural consultants Safras e Mercado Friday.

Planting is slightly behind the 68% planted at the same stage last year and the five-year average of 69%.

Fieldwork is most advanced in Parana state, where farmers had sown 84% of the crop, on a par with last year and the five-year average.

Planting was 79% complete in the center-west state of Mato Grosso, where fieldwork traditionally runs quickest. It was slightly ahead of the 76% planted last year and the five-year average of 79%.

Safras forecast Brazil's 2004-05 soybean production will total 63.2 million metric tons, up from 49.9 million tons produced last year.