Argentina estimated to plant 16.5 million hectares soybean in 2022/23

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Argentina has maintained the estimate of 16.5 million hectares and planted area of soybeans for the 2022-23 harvest, the same as in November this year.

According to the ministry's monthly report, the area planted on December 22 reached 70%, compared to 78% in the equivalent period of last year for the 2021-22 harvest. According to the folder, the lack of moisture in the soil due to the absence of rain resulting in drought caused the delay. However, the report does not present a production estimate for 2022-23, while the 2021-22 crop is projected at 44 million tons of soybeans.

About 10% of the first crop is observed in a state of emergency, 89% in growth and 1% in flowering, while the second has 35% in the emergence and 41% in growth, without the remainder having emerged. ″In general, the crops remain in good condition in the areas that received adequate rainfall, while in the regions less benefited by them, the implantation of the second batches is being delayed due to the lack of soil moisture and the uneven appearance of noble soybeans,″ he said.

Corn - The Argentine government also maintained the estimate of 10.2 million hectares of area planted with corn in the 2022-23 crop in the country, the same forecast as last November. According to the monthly report by the Ministry of Agriculture, the area planted on December 22 reached 68%, against 73% during the same period last year. ″The absence of rains in a wide productive region determined a smaller area destined to early corn, which has already ended, and an increase in the area destined to late corn, depending on the improvement of weather conditions,″ he said justifying the report. The report does not present a production estimate for 2022-23, while the 2021-22 crop is projected at 59 million tons.

According to the statement, the provinces with the most significant progress are Buenos Aires, with 92%, and San Luis, with 91%, followed by Entre Ríos, 84%, Córdoba and La Pampa, 73%. Santa Fe had the slowest progress, up 65% compared to 81% in the previous equivalent period. The ministry also said that the lack of adequate humidity could affect final yields for flocks that are starting the reproductive stages. However, for most crops, in the vegetative phase, there are still possibilities for recovery, provided there is sufficient rainfall.

The crop presents 19% in emergence, 72% in growth, 8% in flowering and 1% in filling. Regarding its status, 3% of the area is considered very good, 74% good, 18% fair, and 5% bad.