|
|
Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
|
|
Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
April 15, 2003
Excellent weather conditions propelled Argentine corn harvesting to a record pace and record yields. Argentina’s 2002/03 corn production is estimated at 15.0 million tons, up 0.5 million--or 3 percent-- from last month, and up 4 percent from last season’s output of 14.4 million. Harvested area is forecast at 2.45 million hectares, unchanged from last month and from last season. Yield is forecast at a record 6.12 MT/Ha.
Above-normal rainfall during vegetative and flowering stages of corn (November to December) improved yield potential, especially for the key corn-growing areas of central Argentina. Almost 70 percent of corn production, as well as more than 75 percent of soybean production, is located in central Argentina (see map). The excellent weather conditions have spurred harvesting and corn collection is setting a record pace. The USDA/FAS team traveled in central Argentina during early March and confirmed the very high yield potential. Record yields are expected in several delegations in this area.
The conditions in southern Buenos Aires and La Pampa Provinces are mixed. These areas are minor producers of corn, accounting for 9 percent of production. Some areas received too much rain near planting time for corn, causing flooding that affected wheat harvesting. Other areas, such as Pigue in southwestern Buenos Aires Province, had a dry spell in late November and early December, postponing corn planting. Then, in January, high temperatures and below-normal rainfall affected development of corn.
Delayed planting for some farmers may have allowed them to miss the adverse weather conditions. Recent satellite imagery shows late-planted corn developing well in some areas in southwestern Buenos Aires Province. Corn fields that were emerging to full canopy by mid-December in southwestern Buenos Aires Province were fully developed by late January. These fields appear robust and doing well in the satellite imagery. By early March, these corn fields are on the way to dry down and will be ready to be harvested by early to mid-April. Yield potential does not appear to be as damaged by the adverse weather conditions as originally thought in far southern Buenos Aires Province, and in northwestern parts of the province, exceptionally high yields are being reported.
Harvest typically begins in southern Buenos Aires Province in late April and by late May is 50 percent complete.
