BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Brazil is anticipating record total grains production this year with output forecast to increase by 14% to 288.61 million tonnes, according to estimates released on Oct. 7 by the National Supply Company (Conab).

In its first survey of the 2021-22 grain crop, Conab said planted area for all grains is forecast to increase 3.5% to 71.5 million hectares.

“This growth is mainly driven by soybean and second harvest corn crops,” Conab said.

Conab said soybean acreage and production are expected to rise with a 2.5% jump in planted area to 39.91 million hectares and output reaching 140.75 million tonnes, “which keeps the country as the world’s largest producer.”

Conab noted that soybean planting already has started in the key producing regions and is ahead of last year’s pace.

Corn production is also forecast to increase, with planted area up 1.6% to 4.41 million hectares for the first crop and output pegged at 28.3 million tonnes. Conab expects total corn production after the three harvests in 2021-22 to reach 116.3 million tonnes.

As for wheat, Conab expects an increase in production combined with an increase in domestic consumption of 3.8% for this new crop. 

“The scenario is favorable, as carryover stocks will be at more comfortable levels, and the forecast is that they will end the year at 1.09 million tonnes, showing a clear tendency to recover after two harvests of reduced volumes,” Conab said.