Brazil’s Soybean Harvest in Mato Grosso Faces Slowest Start in Seven Years Due to Rains

AgRural, an agribusiness consultancy, reported on Monday that the soybean harvest in Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest farming state, is progressing at its slowest pace in seven years due to disruptive rains.

Key Highlights:
Current Harvest Status:

As of now, farmers across Brazil have harvested only 0.3% of the soybean area, a significant drop from 2.3% during the same period last year.
Mato Grosso’s harvest is lagging behind, marking the slowest pace for this time since the 2017/2018 season, according to analyst Adriano Gomes.
Challenges Faced:

The excess humidity caused by frequent rains is preventing machinery from entering the fields, although there are no current complaints regarding the quality of the soybeans.
AgRural noted, “The humidity makes it difficult for machines to enter the field,” highlighting the logistical challenges farmers are facing.
Impact on Crop Rotation:

Mato Grosso contributes to over 25% of Brazil’s soybean harvest. Delays in harvesting could jeopardize the timely planting of second corn crops, which are typically sown after soybeans are harvested.
Gomes mentioned that frequent rains are complicating moisture loss in ready-to-harvest areas and raising concerns about extending the growing cycle.
Second Crop Planting:

Currently, the percentage of second crop corn planted in Mato Grosso is negligible, with many farmers opting to plant cotton in the earliest areas cleared of soybeans.
Regional Variations:

In southern Brazil and parts of Mato Grosso do Sul, the situation is different; these regions are experiencing a lack of regular rainfall and excessive heat.
Gomes emphasized the urgency for rain in these areas, stating, “Some soybean areas that were most affected by the drought are already experiencing losses in yield potential.”

Brazil’s Soybean Harvest in Mato Grosso Faces Slowest Start in Seven Years Due to Rains
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