Drought in two key Brazilian corn-growing states is reducing the potential size of the country’s safrinha corn crop, according to Agroconsult, as the consultancy kicks off a countrywide field tour. Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul are expected to lose part of the crop due to dry weather during March and April, despite having sown second-crop corn in a more favorable time window than last year.
Agroconsult said, “The scenario in Mato Grosso do Sul, without a doubt, is the most worrying. The entire southern region of the state was affected by drought, which has already caused irreversible damage.” However, good yield potential in two center-western states should partly offset losses elsewhere, Agroconsult said, highlighting “well-distributed rainfall” during corn’s development stage in Brazil’s top production state Mato Grosso.
Agroconsult forecasts safrinha production at 96.7 MMT, which would be down 10.5% from last year, though it will know more about potential crop size following its field samples.
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