MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil expects 145.8 million tons crop in 2010; soybeans area up 7.2%

Soybean fields in the southern states of Brazil

Brazil's crop will reach 145.8 million tons in 2010, up 8.8% from 2009, according to a May projection released on Tuesday by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The projection is 0.5% lower than April’s, released in May.

The cultivated area is expected to reach 46.8 million hectares this year, down 0.9% from 2009. The area cultivated with soybeans is expected to increase 7.2%, while the area cultivated with corn and rice is to fall 6.7% and 6.1%, respectively.

According to the IBGE, the production of corn and soybeans will increase 3.7% and 19.6%, respectively. The rice production, one the other hand, is expected to fall 10.8% percent.

Together, rice, corn and soybeans account for 90.9% of Brazil's crop and 83.1% of the cultivated area in the country.

Out of the 24 products included in the IBGE study, 14 are expected to register an expansion in crop volume, including cotton, coffee, cassava, wheat, and oranges.

Among the products whose production is expected to fall are peanuts, onions, cocoa beans, and sorghum

Brazil’s record crop year was in 2008 with 145.9 million tons.

IBGE was forced to make a review of its previous estimates because of the adverse climate conditions in Rio Grande do Sul, one of the country’s main grains-basket states.

According to IBGE, the Rio Grande do Sul crop will be 17.6% less than originally forecasted.