Brasília – Brazil’s next grain crop will exceed 190 million tonnes for the first time, as per the 5th 2013-2014 production survey, released this Tuesday (11th) by the National Supply Company (Conab). According to the forecast, the total harvest in the country should amount to 193.6 million tonnes.
The estimate is up 3.6% from the previous crop’s 186.9 million tonnes. On the other hand, it is down 3.1 million tonnes from the prior survey, issued on January 9th, as a result of a downward revision of maize output, stemming from discouraging prices and high stock-up levels.
The Conab chairman Rubens Rodrigues do Santos has said there was a concern with the veranico (Portuguese for little summer) in January, “but it didn’t affect growers, as the figures show. The amount of water stored underground was enough to keep the crops alive, and our good expectations were confirmed.”
Soy remains the highlight of Brazil’s grain crop, up 10.4%, or 8.5 million tonnes, from the prior crop. The output is expected to be 90 million tonnes. The production estimate for rice is up by 5.9%, or 12.5 million tonnes. The bean output estimate is up 38.6%, from 964,600 tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes.
The scenario has been rated as “extremely positive” by the Conab chairman. Even with regard to maize, the Conab is still waiting for growers to decide whether they will keep growing it or switch to another product.
According to Conab technicians, the total planted area for grain should be 55 million hectares, up 3.2% from 53.26 million hectares in 2012-2013. The figures were collected in Brazil’s main producing regions, from January 20th to 24th. The next survey should be released on March 12th.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
