December 23, 1999

RECENT RAINS BENEFIT SOYBEAN PLANTINGS IN BRAZIL

Recent rains helped Brazilian farmers plant nearly all of the 1999/2000 soybean crop by mid-December. In southern states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul, reports indicate that plantings were delayed beyond the optimal period of December 15^th, raising some concerns about potential yield reductions. Crop conditions in other important soybean producing states of Mato Grosso, Goias and Minas Gerais remain favorable.

Satellite derived vegetation conditions (shown below) indicate considerable improvement in greenness, from November to mid-December, as a result of emergence following recent rains.

(See December 10 drought assessment.)

For more information, contact Rao Achutuni with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 690-0140.

Last modified: Monday, July 19, 2004