Brasília – Brazilian domestic grain production in the 2011-2012 crop should reach 159.079 million tonnes, 2.4% less than in the preceding crop (162.958 million tonnes harvested). The forecast is part of the third survey carried out this year by the National Food Supply Company (Conab), which was announced last Thursday (8th).
According to Conab, the main cultures – maize and soy – add up to 83% of the national crop. These two cultures should reach 131.605 million tonnes. “The maize crop is expected to grow 4.9%, considering the first crop alone, because the size of the second crop will only be known come January,” informs a statement issued by the company.
On the other hand, the planted area for rice is expected to decrease by 251,800 hectares compared with the previous crop – when the area was 2.820 million hectares. The planted area for first-crop bean has also decreased. In comparison with the previous crop, which covered 1.42 million hectares, there has been a 147,300-hectare decrease.
IBGE forecast
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) has also announced its estimates for the 2011 Brazilian grain, leguminous and oleaginous plant crop. According to the organization, the crop volume will be 159.5 million tonnes, 6.6% higher than the record crop of 2010, during which 149.6 million tonnes were harvested.
The estimate, however, is 0.1% lower than the one issued in October, which was 159.7 million tonnes. The expected harvest area in 2011 is 48.6 million hectares, 4.6% more than in 2010, and 5,128 hectares less than the October forecast.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
