MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay record crop of soybeans: 7.48 million tons

Farmers should be able to pay debts accumulated during last year’s poor crop

Paraguay announced a record 2009/2010 soybeans crop of 7.48 million tons, which is larger that the 6.8 million tons of 2007/08.

But it is a “normal harvest” since the yield per hectare is estimated in 2.800 kilos, pointed out Luis Enrique Cubilla president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Cereals and Oilseed exporters, Capeco.

Based on satellite information a total of 2.680.182 hectares of soybean were planted and the harvest should reach, 7.482.835.087 kilos, plus minus 3%.

Cubilla said that profit margins should help farmers pay their 2009 debts, when the overall losses for soy, corn and wheat, because of adverse climate conditions were estimated in 585 million US dollars.

Among the positive points of the current crop Cubillas said that planting took place at the appropriate moment, plenty of rainfall at the time, high temperatures when maturing, abundant soil humidity, excellent handling of fertilizers and exuberant foliage.

On the negative side the early appearance of Asian rust and the increase in pest control costs. Also a growing problem in Paraguay’s farming lands is erosion.
Last year’s crop was 3.78 million tons, well below the 6.8 million of 2007/08.