2023/24 Brazil Safrinha Corn 59% Planted vs. 40% Last Year

Safrinha corn planting was 59% as of late last week compared to 40% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 21% for the week. Planting continues ahead of the normal pace because of the advanced soybean harvest. This is the fastest planting pace since AgRural started tracking planting in 2013. Additionally, farmers in Brazil are expected to plant less safrinha corn compared to last year, so that may contribute to a higher percentage of the crop being planted.

February 20th is generally considered the end of the ideal planting window for safrinha corn in central Brazil. Therefore, approximately 25-30% of the safrinha corn will be planted after the ideal date. Most of the safrinha corn thus far has gotten off to a generally good start.

Planting safrinha corn after the ideal window has closed does not necessarily guarantee low yields, but it does increase the risk of lower yields depending on the weather. There are metrologists in Brazil who are forecasting a rapid decline in rainfall starting in April. If that forecast verifies, it could cause a problem especially for the later planted safrinha corn.

The safrinha corn in Mato Grosso was 65% planted as of late last week compared to 50% last year and 58% average. This represents an advance of 23% for the week. The most advanced planting is in the mid-north where 82% of the safrinha corn has been planted. The slowest planting is in southeastern Mato Grosso where 45% has been planted. Below is the 2023/24 safrinha corn planting pace (red line) in Mato Grosso from the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics.

Tags: Brazil, Mato Grosso, yield, safrinha corn, planting