Brazil: Soybean harvest pace improves in RS, but work remains delayed

The harvest progress of the new Brazilian soybean crop reacted following a less moist climate in Rio Grande do Sul in the period between May 11 and 17, recovering part of the accumulated delays. Despite this, the delay in RS keeps the national percentage below the five-year average. In any case, it is important to point out that the harvest has already been completed or is in its last stages in most of the country’s main growing states.

According to research carried out by SAFRAS & Mercado, through May 17, 97.9% were reaped from a total sown area of 45.619 mln hectares, equivalent to approximately 44.642 mln hectares. In the previous week, the percentage was 96.4%. In the same period of the previous year, the percentage was 99.1%. The five-year average for the period is 99.1%.

In Rio Grande do Sul, out of a total sown area of 6.7 mln hectares, 86% were reaped, or the equivalent of approximately 5.762 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 78%. In the same period of the previous year, the percentage was 95%. The five-year average for the period is 97.5%.

Climate forecast maps now point to a period of greater moisture over the center and part of the north of the state of Rio Grande do Sul between May 17 and 23, which could once again hamper the harvest. Despite this, we remember that most of the areas to be reaped are in the southern half of the state.

In the period between May 24 and 30, moisture should be a little lower but still reaching parts of the center and north of the state.

Tags: harvest, Brazil, soybeans, crop, Rio Grande do Sul, sown area