July 7, 2011

Brazil sees 2010-11 grain harvest up 8.6%

Brazil's 2010-11 grains and oilseeds harvest will hit an all-time record of 162 million tonnes, the Brazilian Commodities Corp., or Conab, said on Wednesday (Jul 7).

In its tenth survey for the 2010-11 crop, Conab forecasts an increase of 8.6% representing an additional 12.8 million tonnes, over the 2009-10 crop of 149.2 million tonnes.

In its prior survey a month ago, Conab had estimated the grains harvest would expand 8.2% in 2010-11 to 161.5 million tonnes.

Planted area is now estimated at 49.5 million hectares, representing a gain of 4.4% - or 2.1 million hectares - versus the previous harvest.

The rise in production is attributed to larger areas of cultivation for cotton

Soy production is estimated at 75 million tonnes, up 9.2% from 2009-10. The corn crop, is estimated to rise 9.5% to 21.7 million tonnes.

Conab's survey was conducted between May 20-24 in Brazil's South, Southeast, Center-West and Northeast, as well as in part of the North region.