Increased Incidence of Corn Pests
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange has revised its estimate for corn production in Argentina for the current 2023/24 harvest, lowering it from 54 million to 52 million tonnes. This adjustment may be attributed to the rising incidence of corn pests in certain growing regions across the country. According to the exchange, the completion rate of the corn harvest increased by 11.1% last week, reaching a total of 5.4 percentage points. However, the proportion of corn crops rated from normal to excellent condition decreased from 75% to 68% in the previous week, with the percentage of crops rated as regular to poor condition rising from 25% to 32%.
Soybean Harvest Update
Steady Progress Despite Challenges
The Buenos Aires Exchange reported that soybean harvest progress in the Northern Core region reached 1.9% of suitable area, with an average yield of 3,870 kilograms per hectare. In the Southern Core, the average productivity stood at 4,150 kilograms per hectare.
The situation for soybean crops in Argentina remained stable last week, with 79% of the harvest in normal to excellent condition. Only 21% of the crops were rated as being in normal to poor condition.
As Argentina navigates the challenges posed by pests and other factors affecting crop yields, stakeholders in the agricultural sector will need to closely monitor developments and adapt strategies accordingly. The adjustments in corn production forecasts highlight the importance of addressing pest control measures and implementing effective agricultural practices to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable crop yields in the future.