September 12, 2011

Brazil's grain harvest to hit all-time record

Brazilian 2010/11 grains and oilseeds output will reach an unprecedented record of 162.9 million tonnes, according to the Brazilian Commodities Corp., or Conab, on Friday (Sep 9).

In its twelfth and last survey for the 2010/11 crop, Conab forecasts an increase of 9.2% over the 2009/10 crop of 149.2 million tonnes, representing an additional 13.7 million tonnes.

In August, Conab had estimated a smaller grains harvest of 161.5 million tonnes, up 8.2% on the previous crop.

Planted area is now estimated at 49.9 million hectares, representing a gain of 5.3% or 2.5 million hectares, versus the previous harvest.

The Centre-South accounts for 79% of the planted area, with an increase of 3.3% to 39.4 million hectares.

The South represents 44.9% of the total, at 17.7 million hectares, followed by the Centre-West (42.9% or 16.9 million hectares), the North and Northeast (21% or 10.4 million hectares), and the Southeast (12.2% or 4.7 million hectares).

Soy production is expected to hit 75.3 million tonnes, up 9.7% from 2009/10. The corn crop is estimated at 57.5 million tonnes, up from 56 million tonnes in the previous harvest.

Conab's survey was conducted between August 22 and 26 in all Brazilian regions.