May 10, 2011

Brazil weather to affect current and future soy production

Brazil, the world's second-biggest soy grower, may decrease its production this year and the next as rains delay harvesting and lessen seed quality, weather forecaster Somar Meteorologia's Marco dos Santos said.

The heavy rainfall will trim this year's soy production by about 1.5 million tonnes to 71.5 million tonnes, Santos said. Without the showers, farmers would produce about 73 million tonnes, he said.

The government expects Brazilian soy farmers to harvest 72.2 million tonnes of the oilseed this year, up from 68.7 million last year, according to an April 6 Agriculture Ministry report. The ministry will release an updated report today (May 10).

The excess rains have caused a shortage of soy seeds in the South American country, which may force growers to sow lower-yielding crops for next year's harvest, Santos said.