The harvest of the 2018/19 soyabean crop reached 63% of the area under cultivation in Brazil at the end of last week, compared to 57% in the previous week, 58% last year and 56% in the five-year average, AgRural in a weekly bulletin. “The pace of the work was slower than normal due to rains that fall in several states. These rains have caused the grains to leave the crops with excess humidity and a higher rate of damage (lower quality) in some areas, but these problems are punctual and still do not represent a threat to the harvest as a whole,” AgRural estimates. Mato Grosso continues to be the leader among the states with the most advanced grain removal work, with 97% of its area already harvested. Next, they appear Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás, with 96% and 90%, respectively. As for Paraná, where 67% of the area is harvested, the consultancy pointed out that loss of pace has led the Paraná harvest index to lag behind the one registered a year ago for the first time this season. Last week, AgRural raised its soyabean production estimate in the 2018/19 Brazilian crop to 112.9 million tons, compared with 112.5 million estimated in the projection a month ago. “The upward adjustment was due to the February rains, which benefited the crops planted later,” the consultancy said. The initial production potential was 121.4 million tons, but there were losses in several states, most notably Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, due to the hot and dry weather of December and January.
Source: Revista Globo Rural