Oct 03, 2024
State of Parana Leads Brazil in Soybean Planting
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Farmers in the southern state of Parana, one of the principal soybean producing states of Brazil, are planting their 2024/25 soybeans at an accelerated pace. According to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral), farmers have planted 22% of their soybeans compared to 20% last year. This represents an advance of 12% for the week.
After four months or more of dry weather, Parana has been receiving rain for the last several weeks. Most farmers waited for rain before they started planting, but some farmers planted in dry soil in anticipation of rainfall. That is a risky strategy, but it worked out this year.
The areas currently being planted are expected to be harvested in January allowing for the second crop of safrinha corn to be planted within the ideal planting window. Parana is the second largest safrinha corn producing state in Brazil after Mato Grosso.
If the weather cooperates for the remainder of the growing season, farmers in the state could produce a record soybean and safrinha corn crop. This would be very welcomed news for farmers after several years of disappointing crops.
In contrast to southern Brazil, central and northern Brazil have only received light and scattered showers accompanied by hotter-than-normal temperatures. Rainfall in central Brazil is forecasted to increase starting next week.
In the state of Mato Grosso, which is Brazil's largest soybean producing state, farmers had only planted 0.5% of their intended soybeans as of late last week. Nationwide, Brazil had planted 2% of their 2024/25 soybeans as of late last week.