April 21, 2022

Brazil farmers grow more soybeans and corn

Brazilian government agency Conab said local farmers have planted less sugarcane in the 2021/22 season, choosing to grow more soybeans and corn as global grain prices soar to record levels, Reuters reported.

Sergio De Zen, Conab's director for agricultural policy said it is difficult for sugarcane to match the profitability of growing soybeans and corns in the same area.

Data from Conab showed Brazil's sugarcane planting area declined 3.5% in the 2021/22 season, compared to 8.32 million hectares the previous season. Brazil's sugarcane planting area has been declining since its peak of 9.05 million hectares in 2016/17.

Brazilian grain farmers usually alternate planting corn in the winter and soybeans in the summer.

According to a report by Conab, Brazil's sugar output dropped 15% from the previous crop to 35.05 million tonnes because of bad weather and a reduced planted area.

-      Reuters