Latin American Agriculture News
Sunflower harvest reached historically high prices of US$ 680/tonne, mainly because of an estimated drop of 45% in Ukrainian production. (National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina)
Soybean harvest reaches 99% of planted area, with a national average yield of 2,800 kg/ha and estimated total production of 43.3 million tonnes. Corn harvest reaches 37% of planted area, while wheat area may decrease for the third time if drought continues in the farming regions. (Buenos Aires Cereal Exchange)
First export of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Japan. Sustainable Aquaculture Project had an investment of US$ 22 million for trout farming in water certified by the National Animal Health Service. (Newsan Food)
Surcos, a phytosanitary product industry, is the first national company to issue sustainable bonds incorporated into the sustainability panel of the Argentine Stock Exchange – BYMA. (Surcos)
National Agrifood Quality and Health Service alerts for presence of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) in the country. Pest infests colonies of bees of the species Apis mellifera (Ministry of Agriculture)
In 2021, the National Government invested approximately US$ 360 million in small and medium-sized farms, supporting production and guaranteeing land for planting. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Production of biodiesel could reach 10.2 billion L in 2025, considering possible resumption of the mandatory blending schedule. Projection considers a blend of 15% of biodiesel with diesel after March of 2023. Current production is 6.7 billion L, with 10% of biodiesel added to the fuel. (StoneX Consulting)
State of Mato Grosso do Sul harvested 16.22% of the estimated corn area of the 2021/22 season. Rainfall did not harm harvest and grain quality. (Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics)
Planting of wheat resumed after interruption due to rainfall in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with an estimated area of 1.4 million hectares and harvest of 2,822 kg/ha. State also finished the rice harvest of 2021/22. Agribusiness exports show a drop of 44% in value and 57% in volume in the month of May. In the last 12 months, exported volume dropped from 3 million to 1.2 million tonnes. (Emater; Secretary of Agriculture; Farsul)
Second corn harvest begins in the State of Paraná. 32% of the cultivated area is in the ripening stage, 62% is fruiting and 5% blossoming (National Supply Company)
Ministry of Agriculture begins public consultation about control of dioxins, which are highly toxic organic pollutants, in products used to manufacture animal feed. Latest surveys indicate high frequency of violation of tolerated limits in feather meal and adsorbents (Mapa)
Farmers receive incentives to grow wheat, barley, oats and potatoes in La Unión. Plan Siembra por Chile received investment of US$ 25 million to mitigate increase in prices of agricultural inputs, support job creation and contribute to food security (Agricultural Development Institute)
Tomato harvest decreases becau
Decrease in prices of oranges, kiwi, lemons and carrots. Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, highlights the importance of family farmers’ open markets as a cheaper distribution channel to the final consumer. An average decrease of 39% in the price of lemons in the open markets, which values 55% lower than in supermarkets. Another example is kiwi, with a drop on the average price of 22%, being 57% cheaper in the open markets (Ministry of Agriculture)
Sugar price increase of 8.7% compared to the same period of last year. Price per bag reaches US$ 50 (Ministry of Agriculture)
In the first half of 2022, 437 kg of plant material were seized in operations to prevent the entry of the fungus Fusarium spp., which is already present in Peru and Colombia. The fungus is a pest with no cure that affects banana plantations. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Pork exports exceed 100 thousand tonnes, but drop almost 20% when compared to same period in 2021. Main markets are Japan and the USA, while exports to China continue to decrease, with an annual drop of 74.3%. (Agriculture Markets Consulting Group)
Country is aiming for self-sufficiency in yellow corn farming to supply more than 60 industries that use it as their main input. Only 15% of the yellow corn used in Mexico is produced locally, with a deficit of 18 million tonnes annually (National Chamber of Industrialized Corn)
Agribusiness exports reach highest value in the last 30 years between January and April, totaling US$ 17.16 billion. (Secretariat of Agriculture)
Reduction in the bovine herd for the second consecutive year, currently with approximately 13.5 million animals (National Service for Quality and Animal Health)
Exports of soybeans are 50% lower in May when compared to 2021. This is because of crop failure recorded in 2021/22 harvest, caused by extreme drought. (Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters and Sellers of Cereals and Oilseeds)
Late corn farms were affected by 25% due to excessive humidity and frost, which should lead to a drop in production quantity and quality. (Production Guild Union)
Yerba mate sector bets on intensifying exports to already conquered markets. Yerba mate production is exported to 27 countries. (Paraguayan Yerba Mate Center)
An emergency decree registered 288 thousand farmers with less than 5 hectares to receive nitrogen fertilizer (urea) to guarantee the 2022/23 harvest. Benefited cultivations will be rice, potato, corn and coffee. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Agro Rural launched a project to improve the irrigation service for 14 departments. 64,000 hectares will benefit from the water supply program, contemplating more than 5,000 family farming families. (Ministry of Agriculture)
More than 72 thousand heads of cattle will be vaccinated to face low temperatures. Agro Rural delivered veterinary kits containing vitamins, antibiotics and antiparasitics to be used on the herd. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Due to the increase of wheat exports because of grain prices’ rising, the country might have to import wheat to supply internal market, despite the fact that local production reached double the demand of the domestic market. (Ministry of Agriculture)
MORE ABOUT LATIN AMERICAN AGRICULTURE: