South America Calling

Brazil Soy Planting Slow

Dry weather across the Center-West region continues to delay Brazilian soybean planting.

As of Friday, planting of the Brazilian 2014-15 crop was 7% complete, slightly behind the 8% registered at the same point last year and the five-year average of 9%, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

Planting did move forward from the 3% registered a week before as farmers in the southern state of Parana got back into the fields after an easing of the heavy rains that fell on the region in the first week of October.

Parana had planted 20% of its crop as of Friday, progress of 12 percentage points on the week but still behind the 24% planted at the same point last year.

Last week's hot, dry weather in Mato Grosso, the No. 1 soybean state, further reduced already-low soil moisture levels and farmers may have to replant some of their early crops, said AgRural.

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Planting in the state was 8% complete as of Friday, down from 10% at the same time last year and the five-year average of 14%.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, planting reached 9% as of Friday, down from 11% in 2013.

In Goias, farmers have been holding off from planting due to the lack of rain and the lack of precipitation in short-term forecasts. The state has planted just 1% of its projected 2014-15 soybean area.

According to Somar Meteorologia, a local weather service, no rains are forecast for Brazil's soybean regions until Wednesday, but a front bringing precipitation will move up through western Parana and western reaches of the Center-West in the second half of the week. From Oct. 19 onward, the Center-West will receive heavy rainfall, it said in a report.

If that forecast is confirmed, farmers will be able to plant soybeans in ample time to allow a second crop of corn afterward.

Forward sales of Brazil's 2014-15 soybean crop totaled 13%, well below the 31% sold at the same point last year and the lowest level seen since 2009, said AgRural.

Commitments moved forward just three percentage points last month, despite a jump in the dollar against the Brazilian real that gave local prices a boost.

Business is comparatively slowest in the Center-West, where farmers had sold 39% of their crop at this point last year but have only sold 15% this year.

Sales in Parana were 9% complete, down from 22% last year.

Alastair Stewart can be reached at Alastair.stewart@dtn.com

(AG)

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