USDA Releases 2011/12 Agricultural Production Estimates
23 January 2012 Production estimates across the globe are mostly positive for the 2011/12 season, according to a recent report from the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service.
Russia and the Ukraine planting numbers rebounded as the countries bounced back from drought and unfavorable weather conditions in 2011.
Russia’s sunflower seed production is estimated at 9.6 million tons, up 4.3 million tons, or 79 percent from last year, according to the report. Yields are forecast at 1.32 tons per hectare, an 18% increase from the five-year average.
In the Ukraine, corn production rose a sizable 89% from 2011 to a record 22.5 million tons, up 10.6 million tons. The country’s corn yield has doubled over the past 10 years, and forecasted yields for 2011/12 surpass the 2009/10 record of 5.02 tons per hectare by 30 percent, according to the report.
Corn production is also estimated to rise in Argentina. The USDA forecasts the country’s production at 26 million tons, up 3.5 million tons from 2011. Yield is up 9% at 6.84 tons per hectare. However, sweltering temperatures above 38 C (100 F) in December and only light rain in early January could change the record numbers.
Brazil’s production forecast was lowered due to below average rainfall as well. The country’s 2011/12 soybean production is estimated to be around 74 million tons, about 1.5 million or 2% less than last year. Brazil’s forecast to plant a record 25 million hectares, and most of the country’s soybean crop was already planted in December due to ideal conditions in October 2011.
Production estimates in India are positive. Cotton production is at 27 million bales, up 9% from last year. Area harvested is forecast at 12.2 million hectares, a 10 percent increase from 2011, according to the report. The country’s planting season was extended after a slow monsoon season. However, conditions improved and planting estimates improved in all growing areas through July and August.
The USDA estimates the largest increase in Kazakhstan as the country’s wheat product, expected to soar 132% to 22.5 million tons, up 12.8 million from 2011. Kazakhstan’s previous record was 22.2million tons in 1979.
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