Floods in Argentina delay harvest but improve prospects for future harvest

According to Reuters, heavy rains in Argentina have led to excessive soil moisture in the country’s main agricultural regions, which could make it difficult to harvest soybeans in 2024.

Heavy downpours caused flooding in some areas of Buenos Aires, and people walked around the city waist-deep in water. According to the National Weather Service, 15-75 mm of rain has fallen in the main agricultural areas over the past 24 hours, and the intensity will increase in the coming days. In March, the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Entre Rios received a total of 140-150 mm of rain, above average.

Experts predict that in most agricultural regions, March will end with excessive moisture, which may complicate harvesting. Argentina is the world’s largest exporter of soybeans and corn, which farmers plan to begin harvesting in the coming weeks.

Although the rains will make harvesting difficult, they will improve conditions for planting winter wheat for the 2024/25 harvest, which will begin in May.

Tags: crop condition, Argentina