National grain production for the 2012/2013 period is expected to reach 180.41 million tons, according to the fourth survey conducted by the National Food Supply Company (CONAB). According to data released on January 9, the volume represents an increase of 8.6% or 14.23 million tons compared to the previous season (166.17 million tons).

Conab expects soybeans to see the highest production, with an increase of 16.28 million tons, reaching 82.68 million tons over the total from the previous study. The first corn harvest will see growth of 863,500 tons, reaching 34.73 million tons and totaling 72.19 million tons with the second harvest. The production of beans in the first harvest will increase by 58,900 tons and reach, together with the other harvests, 3.32 million tons.

The current cultivated area amounts to 52.01 million hectares, an increase of 2.2% or 1.13 million hectares compared to the previous season. The soybean area is the largest and saw growth of 9.2% or 2.31 million hectares compared to the 2011/2012 period (25.04 million hectares).

Source:
Agência Brasil

11 January 2013