December 30, 2022

 

Wheat harvest in Argentina decline further because of late frosts and drought

The Buenos Aires grains exchange said Argentina's estimated wheat harvest could be slashed further this 2022/23 season, as yields have been lower than expected because of late frosts and a historic drought, Successful Farming reported.

The exchange cut its estimate for wheat from 20.5 million tonnes at the start of the season to only 12.4 million tonnes.

 

Argentina is a key global wheat exporter.

The exchange's weekly crop report said lots harvested in the centre and south of Buenos Aires continue to report significant variability and average yields below those initially expected as a result of the late frosts in October.

 

The exchange said the current production forecast of 12.4 million tonnes may need to be revised, if this trend continues.

 

Argentine farmers had harvested 91.4% of the grain planted on 6.1 million hectares (15 million acres) as of December 28.

 

Drought has also slowed the planting of Argentina's soy cash crop, despite recent rains, according to the exchange.

 

The exchange also said if new rains do not register that allow seeders' progress to be unlocked, some 500,000 hectares may be left out of the current productive cycle. The current planted area of soybeans is estimated to be 16.7 million hectares.

 

Argentina is the world's largest exporter of processed soybeans, but its sowing, which is currently 72.2% complete, is 9.2 percentage points behind the previous season.

 

The exchange said Argentine farmers have planted 62.9% of the 7.3 million hectares expected for the 2022/23 corn season.

 

-      Successful Farming