Planting of the 2000/01 wheat crop has been completed following some delays due to the lack of rain in the important producing areas in the south of Buenos Aires Province. Additional top soil moisture is required in most of the large growing areas to help the developing crops which are due for harvesting from late October. Harvesting of the 2000 maize crop has been recently completed and output collected is provisionally estimated at an above-average 16 million tonnes, reflecting enlarged plantings with respect to the previous year in response to expanding exports, as well as satisfactory yield outturns. By contrast, a below-average paddy output was collected, mainly due to reduced plantings caused by an anticipated decline in imports to neighbouring countries.
Harvesting of the 2000 winter wheat crop is underway in the main producing eastern Department of Santa Cruz. A below-average output is anticipated as a consequence of the heavy rains and flooding which affected plantings. By contrast, normal weather in the high plains is benefiting harvesting of the winter sorghum crop as well as early planting of the important potato crop.
Wheat imports in 2000/01 marketing year (July/June) is expected to increase from the previous year's some 260 000 tonnes to about 325 000 tonnes in order to compensate for the decline in production.
Harvesting of the 2000 wheat crop has started in the main producing states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul, which together account for almost 85 to 90 percent of the domestic output, as well as in the other main producing areas. Recent abundant rains in the former state, the largest producing state, helped improve soil moisture for the developing crop which had suffered from an earlier drought and a most severe frost in July, with resulting damage to plantings. The anticipated losses in production in Parana have been compensated in part by improved yields in Rio Grande do Sul, the second largest producing state, and Santa Catarina; however, preliminary assessments of damage indicate that aggregate output for the country is expected to decline by about 35 percent from last year's average production of 2.4 million tonnes. The July frost also damaged the developing second season crop ("safrinha") maize crop, which had also been affected by the earlier dry spell. Aggregate maize production (both crops) in 2000 is provisionally estimated at a slightly below-average level and considerably lower than earlier production forecasts. By contrast, the heavy rains contributed to planting of the 2000/01 first season maize crop which has recently started.
Generally dry weather prevails in the main producing areas following the torrential rains which in June affected large parts of the country, particularly in the metropolitan area of the capital and surrounding provinces. Conditions are reported normal for the developing 2000/01 wheat crop to be harvested from December. Planting of the 2000/01 maize crop has only started and intended plantings should increase from the previous year's below-average 69 000 hectares.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2000/01 (December/November) should be similar to the previous year's some 750 000 tonnes. Maize imports (February/January) are also forecast to be closely similar to the volume of 1.1 million tonnes during marketing year 1999/2000.
Normal to above-normal rainfall continues over most of the country. Harvesting of the 2000/20001 first season (main) coarse grain crops continues and maize output, mostly for human consumption, is provisionally forecast at an average one million tonnes. A slightly below-average sorghum output is expected. By contrast, a slightly above-average paddy crop is anticipated.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2001 (January/December) should be about 1.2 million tonnes, closely similar to the volume anticipated during marketing year 2000. Maize imports, largely for the animal feed industry, in marketing year 2001 (January/December) are also expected to be closely similar to those of the previous year. Paddy imports in 2001 (January/December) are forecast to be about 350 000 tonnes.
Normal rains have resumed in most areas following the torrential rains which months earlier seriously affected the country. Harvesting of the 2000 yellow maize crop has been completed while that of the maize is about to start. Early production forecasts indicate that aggregate maize output (both crops) should improve from last year and reach a slightly above-average level.
Harvesting of the paddy crop has been completed and a below-average output has been collected, largely reflecting unattractive prices to the producer and financial constraints to the agricultural sector in general.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2000/01 (July/June) should be similar to the previous year's volume of 490 000 tonnes. Maize imports are forecast to decline from last year's some 170 000 tonnes to about 110 000 tonnes.
Dry weather prevails over most of the country, with exception of the northeastern departments of Loreto, Amazonas and San Martin, where normal to abundant rains are reported. The bulk of the 2000 wheat crop has been collected and output is provisionally estimated at an above-average 160 000 tonnes. Harvesting of the 2000 white maize crop is well advanced and output gathered in the first seven months of the year is estimated at about 254 000 tonnes which compares to 222 000 collected during the same period the year before. Harvesting operations of the yellow maize crop continue and about 565 000 tonnes have been gathered (January/July) compared to 482 000 tonnes at the same time the year before. A considerably above-average output (white and yellow maize) for the year is forecast. Paddy output is expected to decline from 1999 record level but should nevertheless remain at an above-average level.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2001 (January December) should slightly increase from the previous year's volume of 1 250 000 tonnes. Maize imports in 2001 (January/December) are forecast to be closely similar to this year's some 650 000 tonnes. Rice imports in 2001 (January/December) should also be closely similar to the volume of 350 000 tonnes which are provisionally estimated in 2000.
Planting of the 2000/01 wheat and barley crops has been virtually completed. Considerably enlarged plantings with respect to 1999/2000 crops are provisionally estimated, as the latter were severely affected by a most severe prolonged drought. Harvesting is due from late November. Planting of the 2000/01 maize and sorghum crops has started, as well as that of the important paddy crop, and increased plantings are also anticipated.
Normal to abundant rains have benefited the developing 2000/01 first season (main) cereal crops, as well as that of other staple foodcrops. Harvesting is underway and near average maize and paddy outputs are anticipated. Sorghum output is expected to be below-average.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2000/01 (July/June) are forecast to increase slightly from the previous year's 1.25 million tonnes. A slight increase in maize imports with respect to last year is also forecast.
Back
to menu