Soybean harvest pace improves in Brazil, but work remains behind schedule

The harvest pace of the new Brazilian soybean crop registered some improvement in the period between February 18 and 24. Despite this, the pace remains below the five-year average, which is considered a delay.

With more regional precipitation last week, agricultural machines managed to advance at a better pace in most states, mitigating the accumulated delays.

According to research carried out by SAFRAS & Mercado, up to February 24, 30.3% had been reaped from a total sown area of 43.749 mln hectares, equivalent to approximately 13.275 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 20.9%. In the same period of the previous year, the percentage was 41.8%. The five-year average for the period is 31.4%.

In Paraná, from a total area of 5.75 mln hectares sown, 19% were reaped, or the equivalent of approximately 1.093 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 9%. In the same period last year, the percentage was 32%, while the five-year average for the period is 24.6%.

In Mato Grosso, from a total sown area of 11.8 mln hectares, 74% were reaped, or approximately 8.968 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 58%. In the same period last year, the percentage was 78%. The five-year average for the period is 66.4%.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, 13% were reaped, or the equivalent of approximately 530,000 hectares out of a total sown area of 4.08 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 6%. In the same period last year, 50% had been reaped, while the five-year average for the period is 33.6%.

In Goiás, out of a total sown area of 4.46 mln hectares, 40% were reaped, or the equivalent of approximately 1.784 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 22%. In the same period last year, 57% had been reaped. The five-year average for the period is 39.8%.

In São Paulo, out of a total sown area of 1.35 mln hectares, 10% were reaped, or the equivalent of approximately 135,000 hectares. Last week, the percentage was 8%. In the same period last year, 25% had been reaped. The five-year average for the period is 25%.

In Minas Gerais, 10% were reaped, equal to roughly 210,000 hectares of a total sown area of 2.1 mln hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 7%. In the same period last year, 26% had been reaped, while the five-year average for the period is 23.2%.

In Bahia, out of a total sown area of 1.9 mln hectares, 7% were reaped, or approximately 133 thousand hectares. The previous week, the percentage was 6%. In the same period of the previous year, 21% had been reaped. The five-year average for the period is 7.8%.

The weather maps point to a period of some moisture over the states of the Southern Region between February 26 and March 4, with emphasis on high accumulated data in most of the state of Paraná. In addition, the states of São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Piauí, Tocantins, Maranhão, and Pará must also receive some moisture during the period. The states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Bahia must receive little or no moisture in the period, which must allow for good work progress.

In the period between March 5 and 11, virtually all states in the country must receive some moisture, except for the state of Minas Gerais, which must receive little or no moisture. Meanwhile, the state of Pará and part of the state of Maranhão must receive significant cumulative rainfall.

Tags: harvest, Brazil, soybean, crop, sown area