March 09, 2000

BRAZIL: FAVORABLE WEATHER BOOSTS PROSPECTS FOR THE COTTON CROP

Brazil's cotton production is estimated 2.5 million bales, up 19 percent from last year. Area harvested remains unchanged from last month at 695,000 hectares. Cotton production in marginal areas has given way to large mechanized commercial farms, as plantings have shifted from the traditional states of Parana and Sao Paulo into the states of Mato Grosso, Goias, (Center-Oeste Region), Bahia (Nordeste), and Minas Gerais (Sudeste). . The cotton crop in parts of western Parana and Sao Paulo suffered some damage due to earlier dryness in October - December. However, normal to above normal rainfall during January and February boosted overall yield prospects in the Center-Oeste, Nordeste, and Sudeste states.

ENVIRONMENTAL VEGETATION INDEX

The Environmental Vegetation Index (EVI) for the period November 1999-February 2000 is shown in Figure 1. Significant planting delays are evident in the November image, followed by rapid greenup during December and January. There is some evidence of early soybean harvesting during February in parts of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Overall, the EVI values for February 2000 are inferior to those during February 1998 and 1999 (Figure2.)

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

For more information, contact Rao Achutuni with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 690-0140.