BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Disadvantageous weather is anticipated to keep Brazil’s corn and wheat production firm in market year 2019-20 while rice production increases, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Brazil’s market year 2019-20 corn production holds at 100 million tonnes as poor yields emerged after prolonged dry weather. The country’s corn exports are anticipated to decrease to 33.5 million tonnes, a slip of 16% compared to the previous year. The USDA attributes the slump to depleted stocks and increased domestic demand for poultry and livestock.

Brazil’s wheat production also experienced a setback as a result of adverse weather in the country’s two major wheat producing states, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul. The USDA maintains its 2019-20 production estimate at 5.15 million tonnes. The agency does anticipate an upswing in production in 2020-21 as, “high prices are incentivizing expanded planting in the major production regions.”

Brazil is set to import 7.4 million tonnes of wheat in the 2019-20 market year, which the USDA estimates will supply about 60% of the country’s consumption of the commodity.

The USDA projects a 4% production increase for Brazilian milled rice in the 2019-20 marketing year totaling 7.48 million tonnes as record yields are observed. The weak Brazilian real is expected to boost rice exports to 750,000 tonnes in the 2019-20 market year.