Brasília – The minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil, Reinhold Stephanes, said that the 2009/2010 crop should be the largest in history. After facing a smaller crop last year, when the country produced 134.3 million tonnes, the minister said that this year the result should exceed that reached in 2007/2008, the largest to date, with 144.1 million tonnes. The forecast exceeds the previous grain crop by over 7%.
On Tuesday (9), the National Food Supply Company (Conab) also disclosed its crop estimate, 143.95 million tonnes, close to the volume estimated by the minister. If the Conab estimate is confirmed, Brazil should have its second largest crop, 6.5% greater than the last crop. This estimate is 0.6% higher than the organisation’s previous forecast.
The stability of rains and great productivity should guarantee a larger grain crop. Soy should reach production of 67.57 million tonnes, or 10.40 million tonnes more than in the previous crop. The crops of the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul, the main producers of the commodity, have already exceeded 50%, according to the Conab. Other cultures, like maize, beans and cotton, should also have greater crops.
*With information from Agência Brasil. Translated by Mark Ament
