July 8, 2008

Frost destroys almost 1 million tonnes of corn in South Brazil

Parana state has lost almost 1 million tonnes of corn due to a recent frost, according to media reports which quoted Brazilian agribusiness consultancy Celeres as saying.

Local news service Estado reported Monday (July 7, 2008) that Celeres estimates corn production of Brazil's southern state of Parana at 5.4 million tonnes in the second harvest, down from its previous estimate of 6.3 million tonnes.

Corn is Brazil's No. 2 crop behind soy and the country harvests corn twice a year. 

According to Celeres, the crop damage was caused in the west of Parana by cold weather in mid-June.

However, the loss should be nearly offset by higher yields in Mato Grosso, whose corn production should be up 20 percent to 5.8 million tonnes, according to Celeres.