South America Calling

Updated seasonal forecasts suggest normal to above-normal rainfall for Brazil and Argentina crop areas in the 2018-19 crop season.

Planting season is just kicking off in Brazil and, while farmers there reaped the rewards of trade disputes between the U.S. and China, Brazilian farmers are having a hard time selling ahead the 2018-19 soybean crop just going into the ground.

Brazil soybean prices saw a premium bump last week for August delivery, but the Brazilian market is still recovering from last month's trucker strike that has increased the FOB basis for soybeans at port.

A truck drivers' strike from last week almost shutdown a city, no, actually the whole country of Brazil. The situation is creating turmoil in South America's largest economy as gas stations have run empty and a broad array of industries are being affected as a result.

Brazilian farmers were enjoying some strong prices during the past few months, but their harvest premiums were weakening last week after the U.S. and China agreed to dial back trade tensions.

As Brazil's northern ports gain an increasing share of the country's corn and soybean exports, a Rabobank analyst says future investments in inland infrastructure could tip the balance of global competitiveness.

Some Brazilian farmers in Mato Grosso state will start harvesting their early planted second-crop corn this week, while farmers in other parts of the country are waiting for more rain to help their corn.

Several factors are leading Brazil's farmers to sell off their old-crop and new-crop soybeans, but some are still hesitating as they fear currency depreciation in their country.

Roughly two weeks ago, corn prices were sticking close to script, even showing signs of losing upward momentum. Then Brazil turned dry.

If China's proposed tariff on U.S. soybeans and USDA's estimate of a record soybean crop in Brazil sound bearish, you may want to take a second look at the evidence.

More than 70% of the soybean harvest is done in Brazil, ranging from 99% complete in Mato Grosso to 25% cut in Rio Grande do Sul.

Drought conditions continue and deepen over most of the Southern Plains winter wheat belt.

It appears that spring will be cool and wet, leading to a poor start to spring fieldwork and early corn planting in the Midwest. Meanwhile, the next chance for any significant rain in Argentina will be later in the week.

La Nina hangs on -- and so does drought in Argentina and in the Southern Plains of the U.S.

Drought conditions in Argentina are putting severe stress on corn and soybean crops, especially late-planted fields.

Drought conditions continue in central Argentina, with no sign of the pattern ending.

USDA has contracted with a Texas university to examine Brazil's production and export potential in 2040. That study isn't completed, but the USDA Outlook Forum offered a preview of what it may forecast.

Drought conditions continue in central Argentina.

As expected, mid-February rain in Argentina offered only partial coverage for major crop areas.

Dry weather continues to stress corn and soybeans in central Argentina.