Heat wave hits Argentina, threatening corn and soybean crops
Hot and dry weather in Argentina is threatening corn and soybean yields, Reuters reports.
In recent days, air temperatures in the country have climbed to nearly 40°C, while key agricultural regions are in urgent need of rainfall. However, no significant improvement is expected until February.
“This heat will reduce corn yields,” said meteorologist German Heinzenknecht, adding that production forecasts are likely to be revised downward, with early-planted corn crops expected to be hit hardest.
He noted that the core agricultural belt — particularly southern Santa Fe province and northern Buenos Aires province — requires 70–80 millimeters of rainfall.
The drought has struck as farmers are close to completing planting. According to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, 93.1% of the planned corn area and 96.2% of the soybean area have already been planted.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously forecast Argentina’s corn crop at 53 million tonnes and its soybean crop at 48.5 million tonnes.
The drought is also harming livestock production, causing pastures and forage crops to wither. Some farmers reported sorghum yields of just 2.5 tonnes per hectare, well below the expected 7 tonnes per hectare.
However, in some areas, including La Pampa province and northwestern Buenos Aires, 60–70 millimeters of rainfall fell over the weekend, easing what farmer Marcelo Rodriguez described as an “hellish crisis” of extreme heat and dry conditions.
Argentina is the world’s leading exporter of soybean meal and soybean oil and the third-largest supplier of corn globally.
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