October 31, 2008

Brazil grain crop seen to grow 28.7 percent by 2018

Brazil's agriculture minister said the country's grain production has the potential to grow 28.7 percent by 2018-19, local news agency Estado reported Thursday (October 30).

Minister Reinhold Stephanes, referring to a study by the government, said Brazilian farmers could produce up to 180 million tonnes of grains such as soy, wheat and corn by 2018-19 from around 139.7 million tonnes in 2007-08, Estado reported.

Brazil's National Commodities Supply Corp., or Conab, said that Brazil's total grain production will be between 142 million tonnes and 144.5 million tonnes in 2008-09.

Brazil is the world's No. 2 soy producer behind the US.