iGrain India - Brasilia. In its May report, the central agency of the Latin American country Brazil, CONAB, had estimated the production of 1476 lakh tonnes of soybean during the 2023-24 season, but it did not include the data of crop damage due to devastating floods in the Rio Grande do Sul province. Meanwhile, a leading analyst firm has maintained its estimate of soybean production at 1470 lakh tonnes.
Rio Grande do Sul is the third largest soybean producing state in Brazil after Mato Grosso and Parana. Soybean production there is likely to decrease by at least 10-15 lakh tonnes as compared to the earlier estimate.
According to the analyst firm, soybean harvesting and preparation has been completed in about 91 percent of the area in this province.
The crop that has been harvested now is said to be weak. Germination is being seen in soybean grains. According to experts, the longer the crop remains in the fields, the more its quality will deteriorate.
The moisture content of soybean in the crop harvested last week was recorded at 30% which is about 3 times more than the normal level.
To bring it down to 12-14%, it will require long-term drying in bright sunlight. In many areas, good facilities or capacity for drying the crop is not available.
As a result, some cooperative institutions are sending the high moisture material to areas where dryers are available.
At present, the average yield rate of soybean has been estimated to be 3329 kg per hectare, but it is also being said that when the preparation for harvesting the crop is complete, then the yield rate may be reduced.