Brazil’s soybeans 86% sown, drought fears for corn yields: Agrural

Brazil’s soybean planting continued to advance at a satisfactory pace on the week to November 18 but the lack of rains in the south has already dampened summer corn yield potential in the region, local consultancy Agrural has said on Monday.

According to Agrural, 86% of the estimated soybean area had been sown as of Thursday as works advanced eight percentage points on the week to land five points higher on the year.

“Soybean planting works are now concentrated in Rio Grande do Sul, that had much-welcomed albeit patchy rains over the week, and in the Matopiba region where sowing has been advancing in between showers,” the consultancy said.

The recent rains in Rio Grande do Sul have brought some relief to soybean and corn farmers according to Agrural.

“However, rains were insufficient for corn and farmers are already reporting losses on the crop yield potential for areas planted in September,” the consultancy stated.

Agrural has pegged summer corn planting in the centre-south of Brazil at 91% of the expected area as of November 18, up six points on the week and at the same level when compared to the same point last year.