Argentina’s 2024/25 soybean and corn crops are starting to suffer from a hot, dry austral summer, according to reports from the country’s leading grains exchanges. This shift follows a period of abundant spring rains that had previously created ideal growing conditions.
Key Highlights:
Current Situation:
Argentina is the world’s largest exporter of soybean oil and meal, and the third-largest exporter of corn.
Until recently, the Buenos Aires grains exchange (BdeC) reported minimal signs of crop damage due to favorable wet spring weather.
Impact of Summer Heat:
As summer commenced in late December, high temperatures and reduced rainfall began to take a toll on crops.
The Rosario grains exchange (BCR) noted that regions northeast of Buenos Aires and southern Santa Fe received only 35 millimeters (1.38 inches) of rain in December, significantly below the historical average of 110 millimeters.
Concerns in the Agriculture Sector:
Analyst Marina Barletta expressed concern, stating, “There is a lot of concern in this sector because water reserves go from scarcity to drought.”
Symptoms of water stress are being observed in corn crops, with indications such as yellowing of basal leaves, which could lead to potential yield losses.
Crop Progress:
As of now, corn farmers have planted 87% of the 6.6 million hectares (16.3 million acres) allocated for corn, while 93% of the estimated 18.4 million hectares of soy fields have been planted.
The area benefiting from “adequate to optimal” water conditions for soy has decreased by 7 percentage points, now standing at 81% of the total planted area.
Wheat Harvest Update:
The wheat season is nearing completion, with farmers having harvested 95% of an estimated 18.6 million tons of wheat.