Dec 23, 2021

Soybean and Corn Crops in Parana Suffer Another Downgrade

Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.

The 2021/22 soybean and corn crops in the state of Parana in southern Brazil suffered another downgrade in conditions and a lowering of the production estimates. The entire state has been under the influence of La Nina resulting in hotter and dryer conditions than normal. The weather started to turn dryer in mid-November and there has been little rainfall since then. The near-term forecast is only calling for light and scattered showers in the state.

The Department of Rural Economics (Deral) lowered their soybean production estimate by 2.54 million tons from 20.98 million tons to 18.44 million. They also lowered the soybean yield from 62.1 sacks per hectare (55.5 bu/ac) to 54.4 sacks per hectare (48.6 bu/ac).

Earlier this week Deral rated the soybeans at 13% poor, 30% average, and 57% good. The percentage of the crop rated good was down 14 points from the previous week.

Parana's first corn crop has also been impacted by the dry conditions which hit the crop during pollination and grain filling. Deral lowered the corn production 510 thousand tons from 4.19 million tons to 3.68 million tons. The corn was rated 10% poor, 27% average, and 63% good. The percentage of the corn rated good was down 14 points from the prior week.

Western Parana has been the region most impacted by the dry weather and these same conditions are being reported in eastern Paraguay as well. The three southern states in Brazil of Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul are all being impacted by the hot and dry conditions.