October 2, 2009

Argentina exported 549,013 tonnes of corn in August, far less than the 1.4 million tonnes shipped a year earlier, according to the latest data from the animal health and sanitation service, Senasa.

August's corn shipments were valued at US$94 million compared with US$322 million a year earlier.

Corn exports during the first eight months of the year totalled 6.7 million tonnes, down from 12.7 million tonnes a year earlier.

The 2008-09 crop was battered by drought, sharply cutting production.

Iran, Colombia, Malaysia, Algeria and Egypt were the leading destinations for Argentine corn exports during the period.

Argentina exported 34,678 tonnes of wheat in August, sharply down from the 403,484 tonnes shipped a year earlier, according to Senasa.

August wheat exports were valued at US$7 million compared with US$142 million a year ago.

During the first eight months of the year, Brazil dominated in the purchasing of Argentine wheat, importing 2.25 million tonnes. Iran and Peru followed with 367,286 and 304,581 tonnes, respectively.

August wheat flour shipments totalled 26,152 tonnes, compared with 28,351 tonnes a year earlier.