December 7, 2004

 

 

Argentina's 2004-05 Soy Crop 68% Planted as of Saturday

 

Argentine farmers had planted 68.3% of the 2004- 05 soybean crop as of Saturday, according to the latest data from the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange.

 

The exchange didn't say how the pace of planting compares with that of the previous year. Last year farmers planted 14.5 million hectares and harvested 32.2 million metric tons of soy, according to the exchange.

 

The exchange sees the 2004-05 area at 14.7 million hectares. So far about 10,043,000 hectares have been planted.

 

The crop is in good shape in most parts of the country, according to the exchange. Moreover, fresh rain will improve conditions in the days ahead.

 

"Recent rain in the Pampas area, center-south Buenos Aires and center- south Cordoba will increase the pace of planting in these areas, where there was a lack of moisture last week," the exchange said.

 

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 90% of the 2004-05 commercial corn crop by Saturday. This puts the pace of planting up from 70.5% a year earlier.

 

The exchange sees the planted area of exportable corn at 2.5 million hectares. Last year area totaled 2.28 million hectares.

 

As of Saturday, farmers had planted 2,250,740 hectares.

 

In general, the crop is developing well and recent rain probably will ensure that it continues to evolve normally in the days and weeks ahead, the exchange said.

 

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.