December 8, 2009

 

Argentina wheat harvest 22 percent complete; conditions mixed

 

 

Argentine farmers have harvested almost a quarter of the 2009-10 wheat crop, with conditions good across most of the farm belt. But the crop is in miserable condition in the south and southwest, the Agriculture Ministry said in its weekly crop report released Monday (December 7).

 

As of Dec. 3, 22 percent of the wheat crop had been harvested. The ministry estimates production of just 7 million tonnes. Planting area fell sharply this season as farmers shifted to other crops due to export controls on wheat and drought during planting time.

 

That drought extended throughout most of the growing season in the south of Buenos Aires and in the western fringe of the farm belt.

 

In the western La Pampa province, yields are very low, with many fields expected to be turned over to pasture rather than harvested, the ministry said.

 

The Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange is estimating 2009-10 wheat production of 7.5 million tonnes, but that forecast is likely to be revised downward, it said last week.

 

As of Dec. 3, 53 percent of the record 18.5 million hectares seen going to soy this season had been planted, according to the ministry.

 

Planting was slowed last week by rainy conditions.

 

The Rosario Grain Exchange forecasts soy production of 47 million tonnes, while the US Department of Agriculture expects 53 million tonnes.

 

Corn planting continues to progress slowly as farmers focus on soy.

 

As of Dec. 3, 70 percent of the forecast 3 million hectares seen going to corn had been planted, the Ministry said.

 

The Buenos Aires exchange forecasts 1.875 million hectares of commercial corn planting this season.

 

Neither the Buenos Aires exchange nor the ministry have estimated production yet, but the Rosario Grain Exchange sees total corn output of 13 million tonnes.

 

As of Dec. 3, farmers had planted 76 percent of the 1.79 million hectares seen going to sunflower seeds this season, the ministry said.

 

The Buenos Aires exchange forecasts 1.42 million hectares planted with sunflower seeds this season.