The U.S. Grains Council Chart of the Week illustrates a decade of Brazilian corn production, including an estimate for this year. For the 2013/2014 marketing year, which began Sept. 1, 2013, Brazil’s corn production is expected to decrease for the first time in six years. Current estimates show 72 million tons (2.8 billion bushels) compared to last year’s 81 million tons (3.2 billion bushels).
Following a bumper grain harvest of 188.2 million tons in 2013, Brazil is banking on a new record in 2014, with a harvest prediction of 189.4 million tons, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Of this estimate, corn, soybeans and rice account for 91.4 percent, with increases in soybean estimates offsetting the decrease in corn estimates.
While soybean projections are strong in Brazil, a dry planting season has made corn projections lower than in previous years. Due to early season conditions being better suited for soybeans, 72.9 million acres were planted in soybeans this season, up 4.4 million acres compared to last year.