Nov 05, 2024
2024/25 Brazil Soybean Planting 54%, Up 18% for the Week
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Soybean planting in Brazil surged again with 54% planted as of late last week compared to 51% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 18% for the week and is the second fastest planting after 2018/19 when planting was 60%. Mato Grosso had another big week with a 23.8% increase in soybean planting.
The last two weeks have been very good for soybean planting in Brazil and with improved soil moisture, germination and emergence has been rapid and uniform and the soybeans in Brazil are rated in good condition. After a slow start, the situation in Brazil is now much improved. The one big producing state where soybean planting remains behind normal is Rio Grande do Sul where the soybeans are 10% planted.
Brazil's 2024/25 soybean acreage is estimated at 46.8 million hectares (115.5 million acres), which is up 1.0 million hectares or 2.1%. The 2024/25 Brazil soybean production is estimated at 165.0 million tons, which is up 12 million tons or 7.8%.
Rainfall in Brazil last week was widespread with the heaviest amounts across central Brazil. Some dryness is still lingering in western Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul. Rain this week should favor most of the major growing areas of Brazil. During the 6-10 day period, rain should favor mostly northern areas.
Mato Grosso - Soybeans in Mato Grosso were 79.5% planted as of late last week compared to 83.3% last year and 79.1% average according to the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea). This represents an advance of 23.8% for the week. Improved rainfall coverage has allowed for another week of rapid soybean planting in the state. The most advanced planting is in the mid-north region where 93% of the soybeans have been planted with the slowest planting in the southeast region with 59% planted.
Planting has now caught up to average, which is a big improvement in two weeks. There is still a concern about potential delays in planting the safrinha corn, but the concern is less today than it was several weeks ago. Below is the soybean planting progress in Mato Grosso as of November 1, 2024 from Imea.
Parana - Soybeans in Parana were 74% planted as of earlier last week compared to 69% last year according to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral). Soybeans are 22% germinating, 76% in vegetative development, 2% flowering and rated 1% average and 99% good.
Rio Grande do Sul - Soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul were 10% planted as of late last week compared to 3% last year and 16% average according to Emater. This represents an advance of 7% for the week. Emater reported that emergence has been rapid and uniform.
Goias - Soybeans in Goias were 42% planted as of last week compared to 55% average. Rainfall has improved in Goias, but farmers in the southwestern part of the state are still behind in their soybean planting. According to the director of the Rural Union of Rio Verde/GO, in the municipalities of Rio Verde, Jatai, Mineiros, and Montividiu, approximately 50% of the 2024/25 soybeans have been planted.
In a normal year, farmers in the region would be wrapping up their soybean planting by the end of October. A delayed start to the summer rainy season and irregular and light rain has led to a slow recovery of the soil moisture. Farmers were hesitant to plant their soybeans until there was enough soil moisture to guarantee germination and stand establishment.
The slow soybean planting has farmers concerned about a delay in planting their second crop of corn next January and February. The ideal planting window for safrinha corn in southwestern Goias closes about the third week of February and any corn planted after that date runs an increased risk of reduced yield due to the renewed onset of dry weather before the corn has a chance to mature.
This marks two years in a row in which the start of soybean planting has been delayed by dry weather. If the safrinha corn planting gets too delayed, farmers may opt to plant an alternative crop such as grain sorghum, sesame, sunflowers, or a cover crop.
Conab and WASDE Reports - Conab will release their November Crop Report on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The November WASDE Report will be released on Friday, November 8, 2024.