South America Calling

Rain hampered Brazil's soybean harvest last week, restricting its evolution to six percentage points, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

The world's No. 2 producer had harvested 20% of its crop as of Friday, lagging the 30% collected at the same point last year.

The biggest rain issues were in the Center-West, where late planting had already delayed the crop.

Up to 4 inches fell in parts of Mato Grosso, the No. 1 state, where the harvest is now 34% complete, well behind the 48% registered at the same point last year.

Heavy precipitation also impeded field work in the south. In Parana, the No. 2 soy state, harvesting is now 27% complete compared with 31% at the same point last year.

While the rain will help late-cycle crops, it is a source of concern for those with soybeans ready to harvest.

The good news is that rains are expected to become scarcer during the course of next week.

(CZ)

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