Mar 16, 2022
2021/22 Brazil Safrinha Corn 94% Planted vs. 74% Last Year
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
In their March Crop Report, Conab left the 2021/22 Brazilian corn estimate unchanged at 112.3 million tons. They estimated the first corn crop at 24.3 million tons, the safrinha crop at 86.1 million tons, and the third corn crop at 1.8 million tons.
First Corn Crop
The first corn crop in Brazil was 52% harvested as of late last week compared to 41% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 7% for the week.
Parana - The Department of Rural Economics (Deral) reported earlier last week that 64% of the first corn crop had been harvested and yields are expected to be down 40% from initial expectations. The remaining corn was rated 19% poor, 34% average, and 47% good.
Rio Grande do Sul - Farmers had harvested 64% of their corn as of late last week compared to 58% last year and 52% average according to Emater. This represents an advance of 4% for the week. The current statewide corn yield is estimated at 3,428 kg/ha (54.5 bu/ac) which is down 53% from initial expectations.
Safrinha Corn
Brazil's safrinha corn was 94% planted as of late last week compared to 74% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 13% for the week.
Mato Grosso - Farmers in Mato Grosso had planted 97.9% of the safrinha corn as of late last week compared to 88.3% last year and 96.4% average according to Imea. Imea estimates that 87% of the safrinha corn was planted during the ideal planting window and they estimated the safrinha corn production at 40.5 million tons, which is up 24% compared to last year's drought impacted crop. Below is the safrinha corn planting progress (red line) published last Friday by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea).
Parana - Farmers in the state had planted 69% of their safrinha corn as of earlier last week. The corn was 31% germinating, 67% in vegetative development, and 2% pollinating. The corn was rated 1% poor, 9% average, and 90% good.
In the municipality of Marechal Candido Rondon in far western Parana, farmers started planting the safrinha corn as early as late December with some of the earlier planted corn now in pre-pollination. The weather has not been ideal for the safrinha corn, but it has been good enough for normal crop development.
Farmers in the municipality increased their safrinha corn acreage by 25% to 30% hoping to make up for losses associated with the poor soybean crop. The safrinha corn yield is expected to be more than 100 sacks per hectare (95 bu/ac). The corn was planted over a 60-day period and the harvest is expected to start at the end of June and conclude in September.
Mato Grosso do Sul - As of ten days ago, farmers in Mato Grosso do Sul had planted 59% of their safrinha corn compared to 32.5% last year and 61.6% average according to the Agriculture and Livestock Federation of Mato Grosso do Sul (Famasul). Dry conditions have made it difficult for some farmers to plant their corn within the ideal planting window.
Famasul estimates that farmers in the state will plant 1.99 million hectares of safrinha corn, which is down 12.6% compared to last year, but they indicated that the corn acreage may end up being larger than currently estimated due to the strong domestic corn price. On the other hand, some farmers may opt to plant a cheaper crop and one that requires less water than corn. During the first week of March, the average price of corn in the state was R$ 87.69 per sack (approximately $7.81 per bushel).
In the municipality of Caarapo in southern Mato Grosso do Sul, the safrinha corn was 60% planted as of last week and the crop needed rain in short order to prevent potential yield losses.
Goias - The weather has been very good for safrinha corn planting and early crop development. The safrinha corn production in the state is estimated at 10.4 million tons which is up 53% compared to last year.
In the municipality of Jatai in southwestern Goias, all the safrinha corn was planted within the ideal window and the weather thus far has been beneficial for the safrinha corn. The soil moisture is starting to dry out and more rain will be needed for the corn to reach its full yield potential. The safrinha corn harvest will start in early July. The current spot price for corn in the municipality is R$ 92 per sack (approximately $8.19 per bushel).
Minas Gerais - The safrinha corn was planted within the ideal planting window and the crop is in good condition. The safrinha corn harvest should start in early June.