August 24, 2004

Argentina's 2004-05 Wheat Crop 94% Planted

As of Friday, Argentina's farmers had finished planting 94% of the country's 2004-05 wheat crop, the latest Agriculture Secretariat data show.

This puts the pace of planting down slightly from 97% a year ago by this time, the Secretariat said. The pace is unchanged from a week ago mainly because heavy rainfall impeded the work of farmers in some areas.

The Secretariat lowered its estimate for planted area to 6.2 million hectares from 6.3 million previously. Still, planted area is seen up from 6.035 million a year earlier.

Last week's rain slowed planting in Buenos Aires and Cordoba, where some farmers were unable to apply fertilizer because of the excess moisture.

Around 5.857 million hectares have been planted so far.

Last year, Argentina produced 14.5 million tons of wheat, according to the Agriculture Secretariat. According the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange, Argentina produced 14 million tons of 2003-04 wheat.

The exchange said farmers had planted 96% of the crop by Saturday.

Argentine wheat is planted between May and August. The crop is usually collected between October and January.