September 7, 2004

 

 

Argentina's 2004-05 Wheat Crop 99% Planted By Friday

 

Farmers in Argentina had planted 99.2% of the 2004-05 wheat crop as of Friday, the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange said Monday.

 

The pace of planting is slightly down from a year ago at this time, when farmers had planted 100% of the crop. However, planted area is up 2.9% from a year ago, when it totaled 5.92 million hectares.

 

Some 6.042 million hectares have been planted so far.

 

The crop's condition varies measurably from north to center-south parts of the wheat region, the exchange said.

 

In such northern provinces as Chaco, Salta and Tucuman, a combination of heat and dryness has hindered the crop's growth and is likely to lower yields.

 

In center-south areas, however, conditions are "favorable" and the crop is expected to produce solid yields.

 

Argentina produced 14 million metric tons of wheat in 2003-04, according to exchange data.

 

The Agriculture Secretariat has said 2003-04 production totaled 14.5 million tons.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that 2004-05 production will total 14.5 million tons.

 

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

 

CORN

 

Meanwhile, farmers had planted 0.7% of the 2004-05 corn crop by Friday, the exchange said.

 

As of Friday, farmers had planted 16,440 hectares.

 

"Planting has been delayed because of a lack of humidity in center-north Santa Fe," the exchange said.

 

Planting will soon begin in southern Santa Fe and in Buenos Aires, provinces that account for about 40% of Argentina's corn production.

 

The exchange has forecast planted area of commercially tradable corn at 2.45 million hectares, compared with 2.23 million a year earlier.

 

Argentina produced 13.1 million tons of corn in 2003-04, according to the exchange. The USDA has forecast 2004-05 output at 15.5 million tons.