Recent heavy rains in Argentina are posing challenges for the upcoming harvest season but are also raising hopes for improved prospects in the future, reports Reuters.
The downpours have caused excessive soil moisture in Argentina’s key agricultural regions, potentially complicating the soybean harvest slated for 2024.
In some areas of Buenos Aires, the heavy rainfall led to flooding, with residents navigating waist-deep waters. The National Weather Service reports that within the last 24 hours, rainfall ranging from 15 to 75 mm has been recorded in the primary agricultural zones, with forecasts indicating a further increase in intensity in the coming days. March saw rainfall totals of 140-150 mm in provinces like Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, and Entre Rios, surpassing the usual averages.
Experts are anticipating lingering excessive moisture in most agricultural regions by the end of March, which could hinder harvesting activities. Argentina, being a major global exporter of soybeans and corn, is gearing up for harvesting operations in the coming weeks.
Despite the challenges posed by the rains, there’s optimism that the moisture will benefit the planting of winter wheat for the 2024/25 harvest, set to commence in May.