December 15, 2009

  

Argentina wheat yields vary widely; harvest 31% done

 

 

Wheat conditions vary widely across Argentina's farm belt, with very low yields in the south and southwest areas that suffered drought but good output in more central areas, the Agriculture Ministry said in its weekly crop report Monday (December 14).

 

In the Pehuajo district of Buenos Aires province, yields vary from 0.8 to 3 tonnes per hectare, the Ministry said.

 

As of Dec. 10, 31% of the area planted with wheat this season had been harvested. Production is forecast by the Ministry at 7 million tonnes, while the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange pegs output at 7.5 million tonnes

  

Soy planting continues to progress at a rapid pace, with the crop developing well across much of the farm belt, the ministry said.

 

As of Dec. 10, 76% of the 18.5 million hectares seen going to soy this season had been planted, according to the ministry.

 

The Rosario Grain Exchange forecasts soybean production of 47 million tonnes, while the US Department of Agriculture expects 53 million tonnes.

    

As of Dec. 10, 76% of the forecast 3 million hectares seen going to corn had been seeded, according to the ministry.

 

The crop is developing well due to increased rainfall across much of the farm belt, the ministry said.

 

The Buenos Aires Exchange forecasts commercial corn planting of 1.875 million hectares.

 

The Buenos Aires exchange hasn't estimated production yet, but the Rosario Grain Exchange sees total corn output of 13 million tonnes.

 

As of Dec. 10, farmers had planted 91% of the 1.79 million hectares seen going to sunflower seeds this season, the Ministry said.