Brazilian wheat crop faces productivity challenges as imports fall in June

In June, while the sowing of the national wheat crop continued to advance, at the same time, the harvest started in some areas of the country. In Argentina, the main origin of wheat imported by Brazil, the area with the cereal in the current season was readjusted again downwards and, now, should be lower than that of the past harvest. After reaching a record in 2022, national wheat production should be slightly lower in 2023. This is because, despite the fact that the area to be sown in Brazil exceeds that of 2022, the perspective is for a drop in productivity. According to data released in June by Conab, production of the new crop is estimated at 9.7 million tons, 7.4% less than last season, which was a record. The area under wheat in Brazil is forecast to be 9.7% larger than the previous season, to 3.38 million hectares. However, productivity estimates were reduced, being 15.6% lower than in 2022, with a national average of 2.88 tons/hectare. Conab maintained its import estimate ...