Jan 18, 2022

Extreme Temperatures Continue to Impact Paraguay Soybeans

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

The farmers in southeastern Paraguay cannot seem to catch a break as far as the weather is concerned. Paraguay did not receive significant rainfall over the weekend with temperatures in the range of 38°C to 44°C (100°F to 111°F). The forecast is calling for rain along the Atlantic coast of Brazil and in northwestern Argentina leaving Paraguay in sort of a "dry bubble" in between.

Approximately 23% of the soybeans in Paraguay have been harvested compared to an average of about 10%. Early soybean yields in Paraguay are terrible and I do not expect the yields to improve significantly going forward.

Estimating the soybean production in Paraguay is tricky because farmers in Paraguay may plant a second crop of soybeans. Approximately 20% of Paraguay's soybean production comes from the safrinha crop, but the safrinha soybeans are being planted slower than normal due to the dry conditions. The longer the safrinha soybean planting is delayed, the lower the yield prospects for the crop.

There are reports in Paraguay that farmers may plant as much as 600,000 hectares of safrinha soybeans to make up for some of the losses of the first crop of soybeans. Farmers who have forward contracted soybeans may need to plant a second crop of soybeans to fulfill their contracts.