According to agribusiness consultancy AgRural, Brazil’s second-corn harvest for the 2024 cycle had reached 10.4% of the planted area in the key center-south region as of last Thursday. This is the fastest pace of progress in more than a decade.
The “safrinha” second-corn crop represents about 75% of Brazil’s national corn production each year. It is planted after soybeans are harvested on the same fields.
The current 10.4% harvested area figure is significantly higher than the 4.7% reported the previous week, and more than double the 2.2% at the same time last year.
AgRural noted that Mato Grosso, Brazil’s top grain producing state, has been leading the way and reporting “very good yields” after favorable climate conditions for much of this crop cycle. Yields have also been good in Goias state.
However, some regions have faced challenges, with Parana state suffering losses due to hot, dry weather, while Mato Grosso do Sul, Sao Paulo, and Minas Gerais have also reported low yields so far.
The rapid progress of the second-corn harvest, at the fastest pace in over a decade, is a positive sign for Brazil’s overall corn production in the 2024 cycle. The strong yields in key states like Mato Grosso and Goias are helping to offset the losses seen in other regions.