April 14, 2009

Argentina's soy shipments in February totalled 358,033 tonnes, up 60 percent from 223,688 million tonnes during the same month a year earlier, according to the latest data from the agricultural health and sanitation service, Senasa.

February soy shipments were valued at US$128 million, up from US$75 million a year earlier.

China was, by far, the largest destination for oilseed exports, almost all of which were soy, buying 355,566 tonnes in February.

Soymeal exports in February totalled 812,788 tonnes, down from 976,665 million tonnes a year earlier.

February soymeal exports were valued at US$275 million, compared to US$287 million a year earlier.

Indonesia was the leading buyer of Argentine soymeal in February, followed by Syria and The Netherlands.

February soy pellet and cake exports totalled 160,479 tonnes, compared with 314,874 tonnes a year earlier.

Soyoil exports in February totalled 302,086 tonnes, up from 222,568 tonnes a year earlier.

February soyoil exports were valued at US$197 million.

China dominated purchases of Argentine soyoil in February, with India coming in a distant second.

Argentina is the world's No. 3 soy producer and exporter behind the US and Brazil and is the leading exporter of soyoil and meal.

Argentina also shipped 39,949 tonnes of sunseed oil in February, up from 32,280 tonnes shipped a year earlier.

February sunflower seed oil shipments were valued at US$27 million.

Holland has been the leading buyer of Argentine sunseed oil so far this year, followed by India and China.

Argentina is the world's leading exporter of sunseed oil.