May 17, 2023
2022/23 Argentina Soybeans 51.6% Harvested vs. 74.2% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
There is a wide range of estimates for the Argentine soybean production. My estimate of 23.0 million tons is sort of in the middle of the pack. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange left the soybean estimate unchanged last week at 22.5 million tons. The Rosario Grain exchange lowered the soybean estimate 1.5 million tons to 21.5 million. The USDA left the Argentine soybean estimate unchanged at 27.0 million tons.
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange estimates that 1.45 million hectares of soybeans will be abandoned (3.58 million acres) due to the drought. That would equate to approximately 8.9% depending on the starting acreage.
Soybeans in Argentina were 51.6% harvested as of late last week compared to 70.6% last year and 74.2% average. This represents an advance of 15% for the week. In the core production areas, the soybeans are 75-80% harvested with 25-45% harvested in southern Argentina and 15-20% harvested in far northern Argentina. The early planted soybeans are 64% harvested while the later planted soybeans are 23% harvested.
Of the soybeans harvested thus far, the average yield last week was 1,560 kg/ha (23.2 bu/ac), which was down 0.2 bu/ac compared to the prior week. The average yield of the early planted soybeans is 1,600 kg/ha (23.8 bu/ac), while the average yield of the late planted soybeans is 1,140 kg/ha (16.9 bu/ac).
The yields in the northern core region are averaging 1,770 kg/ha (33.6 bu/ac), while the average yield in the southern core region is 1,530 kg/ha (22.7 bu/ac). In western Buenos Aires and northern La Pampa, the yields range from 1,200 to 2,400 kg/ha (17.8 to 35.7 bu/ac). In southern Cordoba, the yields range from 1,200 to 2,200 kg/ha (17.8 to 32.5 bu/ac).
Soybeans in Argentina were rated 59% poor/very poor, 57% fair, and 4% good/excellent as of late last week. The good/excellent percentage was up 2% from the prior week. The soil moisture for the corn was rated 46% short/very short and 54% favorable/optimum. The favorable/optimum percentage was 5% from the prior week.
Below is the soybean condition rating in Argentina from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange for May 11, 2023.
2022/23 Argentina Soybean Ratings*
| Condition | Soil Moisture | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor/V. Poor % | Good/Excellent % | Short/V Short | Favorable/Optimum | |
| Apr. 5, 2023 | 66 (17) | 4 (26) | 54 (20) | 46 (79) |
| Apr. 12, 2023 | 65 (15) | 3 (24) | 53 (17) | 47 (79) |
| Apr. 20, 2023 | 64 (15) | 3 (18) | 51 (20) | 49 (79) |
| Apr. 27, 2023 | 65 (15) | 3 (18) | 52 (18) | 48 (79) |
| May 4, 2023 | 63 (17) | 2 (14) | 51 (22) | 49 (77) |
| May 11, 2023 | 59 (23) | 4 (13) | 46 (26) | 54 (73) |
*Source: Buenos Aires Grain Exchange – Crop Condition & Development Stages