FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - BRAZIL (3) September
The area planted to the 1998 wheat crop in the main producing southern states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana is estimated 10 to 12 percent below 1997 average level. The decline reflects a combination of unattractive wheat prices, the possibility to shift to more profitable crops relative to wheat, and expectations of unfavourable weather. Harvest is due to start from September and output is tentatively forecast at an average level. Yields are expected to improve which would help compensate the smaller area planted.
Planting of the 1998/99 maize crop is about to start. Farmers are expected to increase plantings because of the attractive prices following last year�s relatively low output when El Ni�o associated drought affected the maize crop particularly in the north and north-east of the country.
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