Argentine farmers made progress toward finishing wheat plantings in the last week thanks to good soil moisture in many growing regions, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday in its weekly report. Argentina is a top global wheat exporter and Brazil is its biggest market.
"(Farmers) finished planting due to good weather conditions, low temperatures and soil moisture," the ministry report said about Veinticinco de Mayo in central Buenos Aires province, the country's top wheat-growing region. However, wheat crops in southern Cordoba province lack moisture. "Not only are seedings delayed but even the development and growth of plants is slow," the report said.
By Thursday, farmers had planted 94 percent of the 4.7 million hectares (11.6 million acres) earmarked for wheat, up 3 percentage points from last week and 4 points ahead of last season's pace. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange estimates Argentina's 2011/2012 wheat area at 4.6 million hectares.
This season's Argentine wheat output is seen at 15 million tonnes by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Argentina is the world's second-largest corn supplier after the United States and the 2010/11 harvest is in its last stages. "The crop's development is generally good," the report said about areas in Santa Fe province. But "the harvest is advancing slowly due to excess moisture in the grains."
Growers gathered 97 percent of the 4.4 million hectares planted with 2010/11 corn by Thursday, advancing 2 percentage points from a week earlier but lagging one point behind last season's pace. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange forecasts 2010/11 corn output at 21 million tonnes. Argentina's government expects a total 2010/11 harvest of 21.7 million tonnes, while the USDA forecasts 22 million tonnes.
With regard to sunflowers, farmers have begun planting the 2011/12 crop in northern Chaco province. Argentina's Agriculture Ministry has not estimated sunflower area yet, but the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange sees the crop's area at 1.86 million hectares.
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