Argentina: Soy Planting Progresses, Moisture Low
15 January 2008 Soybean planting in Argentina is largely complete, though the moisture level is causing some concern, as the hot, dry La Niña conditions could limit yields in the country, according to the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS).
As of the end of December, planting of the country’s nearly 17 million hectares (Ha) was about 80% complete, according to the Secretariat of Agriculture. The provinces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Santa Fe, which make up about 75% of the soybean area, were 88%, 70%, and 97% finished, respectively.
However, moisture levels remain a concern in certain areas, even with recent rains in Cordoba, northeast Santa Fe, Chaco, and San Luis. The central north and north Buenos Aires province received some scattered showers that helped plant development, but lack of moisture has delayed planting of the second soybean crop in some areas of the province. The hot, dry conditions caused by La Niña are expected to persist throughout the season, and could impact yield levels.
USDA-FAS is maintaining its earlier forecasts of the final area harvested at 17 million Ha and production at 47 million tons for the time being.
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