Harvesting of the 1996 maize crop has been virtually completed. Output is preliminarily estimated at about 10.7 million tons, 6 percent down from last year, but still higher than the 10.2 million ton average of the last 5 years. The decline has been mainly due to dry and hot conditions at planting which have particularly affected yields and offset the increase in the area planted from last year. The sorghum harvest has also been completed and production is estimated at 2.1 million tons, 28 percent up from the previous year, but lower than average. The increase was the result of larger plantings in response to attractive prices and expanding exports.
Planting of the 1996 wheat crop is about to be completed in the main sowing belts of the Buenos Aires and La Pampa provinces. Despite relatively dry conditions in July, soil moisture is reported good and plantings are expected to increase significantly from last year. The area planted is anticipated to be about 7 million hectares, compared to 4.8 million hectares in 1995. A higher use of fertilizers and farm equipment is also anticipated. By mid-August, 91 percent of intended plantings had been sown. A bumper crop is expected and conservative forecasts put production, to be collected from November, at between 14 and 14.5 million tons which compares to a 5-year average slightly lower than 10 million tons.
Planting of the minor winter wheat crop has initiated under generally dry conditions, and a normal 46 000 hectares are expected to be sown, while land is being prepared for planting of the second season barley, paddy and potato crops. The early outlook is particularly favourable for the paddy crop. Water reserves are considered adequate and above- average plantings are anticipated. The area planted to barley is forecast to be average.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996/97 (July/June) are expected to be close to last year�s receipts of 300 000 tons.
Harvesting of the 1996 maize crop has been completed under favourable conditions. Output is preliminarily estimated at 32.4 million tons, which compares to last year�s record 36.3 million tons, but still 1.8 million tons above the average of the last 5 years. The decrease was due to decreased plantings in the principal producing states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul which were affected by dry weather at planting.
Planting of the 1996 wheat crop has been virtually completed. The outlook is favourable and output is officially forecast at 3 million tons, assuming good weather persists. This compares to 1.5 millions in 1995. The increase is due to more than a 90 percent increase in the area planted in the main producing states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul, particularly in the former, where higher productivity is also expected. The increase in plantings is greatly attributed to the combination of attractive domestic and international prices, and the government programme of credit concession and prefinancing to farmers.
Harvesting of the 1996 maize crop has been completed and land is being prepared for planting of the 1996/97 cereal crops from September. The 1996 maize output is estimated at a below- average 900 000 tons, 9 percent down from the 1995 crop. The decline is mainly due to the long dry spell which affected cereal and other food crops at planting in the central and northern parts of the country.
Maize imports in 1995/96 (December/November) are anticipated to increase from last year�s receipts of 650 000 tons to about 850 000 tons. This is in order to cover the domestic deficit caused by drought.
Harvesting of the 1996/97 first season cereal crops is about to start under normal conditions. Early production forecasts indicate that maize output should increase from last year to an average 1.1 million tons, provided normal weather conditions persist. The increase is due to larger plantings in response to attractive prices to producers. By contrast, sorghum production should continue to fall, reflecting low prices to producers with respect to producing costs. The outlook is favourable for the paddy crop and a slightly above- average output is anticipated.
Planting of the 1996 second season cereal crops has started under generally dry weather. In coastal areas, sowing of yellow maize and paddy crops is underway for harvesting from October. In the highlands, sowing of the second barley and yellow maize crops is about to be completed for harvesting from October, while harvesting of the white maize crop is about to start. In the eastern parts of the country, harvesting of the 1996 main maize crop is still underway while land is being prepared for planting of the second season paddy crop. In aggregate, wheat output, mostly grown in the highlands, should be about average. Maize production is anticipated to be above average but lower than last year due to decreased plantings. A bumper paddy crop is anticipated.
Weather conditions continue benefiting the developing crops and harvesting operations in all regions. Wheat production in the first three months of the year has more than tripled last year�s harvest for the same period. The outlook is also favourable for the coarse grain crops. Maize output is provisionally forecast at 720 000 tons, which compares to an average 680 000 tons in the last 5 years. An above-average 120 000 tons barley output is anticipated. Paddy production is forecast at 1.3 million tons, 14 percent up from last year and 30 percent above the last 5-year average. This is largely the result of attractive domestic and international prices.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1996 (January/December) are expected to be about 1.3 million tons. Maize imports are forecast to be close to last year�s receipts of 850 000 tons, reflecting the steady demand from the poultry and hog industries.
Planting of the 1996/97 wheat crop has started under normal conditions. The area planted is anticipated to increase considerably from last year�s average plantings, mostly in response to attractive domestic and international prices. Intended plantings should be about 240 000 hectares, compared to an average 170 000 hectares in the last 5 years.
Land is being prepared for planting of the 1996/97 maize and paddy crops to be started from September.
Normal rains in June have benefited planting of the 1996 coarse grain and paddy crops, currently underway. The rains have also benefited land preparation for planting of potatoes, plantains and other food crops. Maize plantings are provisionally forecast at an above-average level, mostly in response to attractive prices. The area planted to paddy is also expected to be an above-average 180 000 hectares, reflecting the strong demand for exports to neighbouring countries.