November 8, 2004

Brazil 2004-05 Soy Planting 33% Complete

Brazilian farmers have planted 33% of their potentially record 2004-05 soybean crop up to Friday, moving forward briskly from 16% last week, said the local agricultural consultants Safras e Mercado Friday.

Planting is still slightly behind the 34% planted at the same stage last year but in line with the five-year average of 33%.

Fieldwork is most advanced in Parana state, where farmers had sown 55% of the crop, ahead of last year.

Planting was 52% complete in the center-west state of Mato Grosso, behind the 55% planted at this stage last year but ahead of the five-year average of 45%.

Safras forecast Brazil's 2004-05 soybean production will total 63.2 million metric tons, up from 49.9 million tons produced last year.