November 30, 2004

 

 

Argentina's 04-05 Soy Crop 61% Planted as of Saturday

 

Argentine farmers had planted 60.6% of the 2004- 05 soybean crop as of Saturday, according to the latest data from the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange.

 

The pace of planting is up from 45.5% a year ago, when farmers had planted 14.5 million hectares. In 2003-04 farmers harvested 32.2 million metric tons of soy.

 

The exchange sees the 2004-05 area at 14.7 million hectares. So far about 8,912,500 hectares have been planted.

 

Excess rain slowed planting in northern parts of the Pampas region, the exchange said. However, the additional water will improve soil conditions over the next few days, which will eventually make it easier to plant.

 

Almost all of the first-crop soybeans in southern Entre Rios, eastern Cordoba and center-south Santa Fe are now planted, according to the exchange.

 

"The evolution of the crops in these areas is satisfactory," the exchange noted.

 

Neither the exchange nor the Agriculture Secretariat has formally forecast 2004-05 soybean production.

 

The US Department of Agriculture sees Argentina's 2004-05 soy output at 39 million tons.

 

CORN

 

Meanwhile, farmers had also planted 83.5% of the 2004-05 commercial corn crop by Saturday. This puts the pace of planting up from 64.7% a year earlier.

 

The exchange increased its estimate of planted area to 2.5 million hectares, up from 2.47 million a week ago. Last year's area totaled 2.28 million hectares. These estimates do not include corn planted for use as animal feed.

 

Recent rainfall in a number of provinces has improved soil moisture levels and will make it easier to plant in the days ahead, the exchange said.

 

"In the main corn region (eastern Cordoba, center-south Santa Fe, northern Buenos Aires and southeastern Entre Rios) the climate will continue to favor the crop's foliar development," the exchange said, noting that the crop is now in "good shape."

 

Nationwide, farmers had planted 2,088,300 hectares by Saturday.

 

Argentina produced 13.1 million tons of corn in 2003-04, according to the exchange. The USDA has forecast 2004-05 output at 15.5 million tons.

 

SUNSEED

 

In addition, farmers had planted 91.1% of the 2004-05 sunseed crop by Saturday. The pace of planting is up from 73.1% a year ago.

 

The exchange sees the planted area of 20004-05 sunseed at 1.92 million hectares, up from 1.8 million a year ago.

 

As of Saturday, about 1,749,600 hectares had been seeded.

 

In 2003-04, Argentina produced 3.24 million tons of sunseed, according to the exchange.

 

The USDA has forecast 2004-05 sunseed production at 3.4 million tons.