Climate worries wheat farmers in PR; corn harvest is at 28,9%

Despite a stable first week of July 2023, Brazil's wheat and corn producers are on alert due to climate concerns. Around 30% of crops in the south of the country, particularly in Paraná, may suffer losses if frost occurs, according to Conab estimates.

In Paraná, wheat planting progressed well, reaching 96% of the planned area. Of the total sown, 7% is in the germination phase, 63% in vegetative development, 22% in flowering and 8% in grain filling. In Rio Grande do Sul, 88% of the area was planted, with 75% in vegetative development and the remainder, 25%, in emergence.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, wheat planting reached 81,4% of the planned area.

Commercially, wheat from Paraná increased by 0,27% on the weekly average, priced at R$ 67,50 per 60 kg bag (sc). In Rio Grande do Sul, the appreciation was 1,73%, reaching R$ 65,85/sc.

On the international scene, wheat is under pressure due to the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of Russia's grain flow agreement and ample global supply. The international weekly average was quoted at US$333,73/ton, representing a devaluation of 3,1%.

In the context of corn, the harvest of the 2nd Brazilian crop progressed to 28,9% of the planted area. In Paraná, all areas planned for second-crop corn have already been sown, with 3% flowering, 63% grain filling, 31% maturing and 3% already harvested.

In Mato Grosso, the corn harvest reached 51,4% of the planted area, and productivity remained above 6.300 kg/ha on average. In Goiás, the harvest is progressing at a slower pace than expected, attributed to marketing challenges and current market prices.

With the postponement of the grain flow window for the foreign market due to insufficient space available in ports, it is believed that corn exports will reach their peak in September.

Between February and May this year, corn exports have already totaled 4,5 million tons, with Mato Grosso leading the list of exporting states. The opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian corn and the expectation of a good harvest place Brazil at the forefront of cereal sales on the international market.