Brazil: Yield Losses for Corn in Maranhao Depend on Date of Planting

The state of Maranhao in northeastern Brazil has received little rainfall over the past 30 days and the dry weather has negatively impacted corn yields in the state, especially for the late planted corn. According to the president of the Soybean & Corn Producers Association of Maranhao (Aprosoja/MA), corn planted before March 10th will suffer yield losses of approximately 10%. Corn planted after that date could suffer yield losses of approximately 20%.

It appears that the annual dry season has set in and there is little to no rain in the forecast until the corn harvest starts in July.

Heavy insect pressures this growing season has increased the cost of safrinha corn production in the state. Corn leafhoppers have been a particular concern and some farmers have had to apply insecticide 8 to 10 times to adequately control the insect.

The current spot price for corn in the state is in the range of R$ 49 to R$ 56 per sack (approximately $4.35 to $5.00 per bushel). For farmers who utilized a higher level of technology, the corn price needs to be about R$ 60 per sack (approximately $5.35 per bushel) for farmers to break even on their 2023/24 safrinha corn production.

Tags: Brazil, rainfall, Production, yields, safrinha corn, losses, Maranhao, spot price, corn