BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s 2021/22 wheat crop is expected at a record 20.3 million tonnes, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said in a report on Thursday, citing better than expected yields as the reason for increasing its previous 19.8 million tonne estimate.

The previous wheat harvest record in grains powerhouse Argentina was 19 million tonnes in the 2018/19 season, according to exchange data. The wheat harvest started early this month, with 32.8% of the crop brought in so far, according to the exchange.

“With the advance of harvesting machines over the center of the agricultural area, the average yield increased to 2.4 tonnes per hectare. Faced with this improvement in yields obtained and expected in central and southern parts the farm belt, the crop projection increases to 20.3 million tonnes,” the exchange said.

Regarding 2021/22 soybeans, the exchange said planting over the last seven days advanced 10.7 percentage points to cover 39.3% of expected sowing area. The exchange expects a soy crop of 44 million tonnes. It forecasts a corn harvest of 55 million tonnes, with 30% of expected sowing area planted so far.