Drought damages soybean crops and makes Brazil lose its ranking

The drought and above-average temperatures in southern Brazil and southern Mato Grosso do Sul that have prevailed since November significantly damaged the 2021/22 soybean crop. Brazil’s anticipated production has been lowered by 11.3 million tonnes to 133.4 million tonnes, according to a new survey released this week by ‘AgRural.’

The figure is lower than the previous harvest record of 137.3 million tons, and it represents a reduction of 12 million tons compared to the 145.4 million tons estimated in early November. The 133.4 million tons produced are based on a 40.6 million hectare area (unchanged from December) and an average yield of 54.8 bags per hectare, which is the lowest since the 2015/16 harvest.

Drought damages in the south

Paraná is the state that has been hit the hardest so far. After losses began in the west of the state (which is currently the hardest hit), the crop’s potential was reduced in other parts of the state as the drought and heat worsened throughout December. The loss would be even greater if it weren’t for the more consistent rainfall in the eastern half of the state.

AgRural also reconsidered the expected yield for the other two southern states. In Santa Catarina, rains have been a little more regular and the harvest is not as bad as in Paraná, but the estimated average yield is already lower than last year’s.

The predicted yield for Rio Grande do Sul, on the other hand, has been significantly reduced. Although the crop is defined at the beginning of the year, the extremely hot and dry weather in December caused the cycle to be shortened in certain regions, where plants are very young, already flowering, and beginning to form pods. Rain and milder temperatures are needed immediately to avoid further losses in the state.

Other states

Due to drought damages, Mato Grosso do Sul also went through a cut in its productivity estimate, although less severe than in the southern states of Brazil. In the rest of the country, the harvest is developing well and expectations are for high yields in Mato Grosso, where the first crop areas have begun to be harvested.

Source: Agência Rural

To read the original article please access:

https://www.canalrural.com.br/noticias/agricultura/soja/estiagem-quebra-safra-de-soja-do-brasil/

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