December 20, 2004

Brazil 2004-05 Soy Planting 99% Complete

Brazilian farmers have planted 99% of their potential-record 2004-05 soybean crop up to Friday, moving forward from 96% last week, said local agricultural consultants Safras e Mercado Friday.

Planting is on a par with last year and the five-year average for the crop.

Fieldwork was slowest in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, where 97% of the crop has been planted, but progress remains on a par with the five-year average for the crop of 97%.

Crop progress is normal across most of Brazil, even in the drier regions of Bahia, said a weekly report. However, complaints about the lack of rain have gained in volume in recent days, it added.

Safras forecast Brazil's 2004-05 soybean production will total 63.6 million metric tons, up from 49.9 million tons produced last year.