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Brazil's soybean output is on course to hit a record in 2024/25, while yields in Argentina are expected to decline, according to a US Department of Agriculture report.
The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said in its February "World Agricultural Production" report that Brazilian soybean output for the period is projected to reach 169 million tonnes, up 10% from the previous year and 18% above the five-year average.
Harvested area is expected to hit a record 47.4 million hectares, up 3% on the year and 13% above the five-year average.
Yield was estimated at around 3.57 tonnes per hectare, up 7% from the previous year and 5% above the five-year average.
Overall, the yield outlook for Brazil was positive, according to reports from USDA staff and soybean growers in southern Mato Grosso and northern Mato Grosso do Sul.
"Weather and crop conditions were favourable throughout the growing season across most of the country's Center-West region, where about 44% of the soybean crop is grown," the USDA said.
However, yield potential was affected by heat and dryness in the country's southern areas, including Rio Grande do Sul state and parts of Parana, although recent rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul helped ease some of the stress on crops.
The USDA maintained its forecast for above-average Brazilian soybean output, leaving its production estimates unchanged.
In Argentina, yields are expected to fall due to hot, dry conditions.
Argentina's 2024/25 soybean production is forecast at 49.0 million tonnes, up 2% from the previous year.
Yield is expected to reach 2.83 tonnes per hectare, down 4% on the year, despite a 6% increase in harvested area to 17.3 million hectares.
Source: The Western Producer