SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL — Brazil’s 2022-23 total grain harvest is estimated to reach a record 315.8 million tonnes, according to the Ninth Grain Harvest Survey released June 13 by Conab, the country’s food supply and statistics agency.

Production could register growth of 15.8%, which represents a volume 43.2 million tonnes higher than the 2021-22 estimate. The planted area is estimated at 78.1 million hectares, up 4.8% from the previous season.

“This estimate marks a record in the production of grains in our country, reaffirming the agricultural field as a fundamental sector for Brazilian development,” said Edegar Pretto, president of Conab.

Soybeans stand out with the highest growth. With the harvest nearly finished, the estimate is for a volume of 155.7 million tonnes, 24% higher than last season.

Corn production also is expected to set a record at 125.7 million tonnes. Adding the three cereal harvests throughout the cycle, the crop is up 12.6 million tonnes, or 11.1%, from 2021-22. With the first harvest nearly complete, production of 27.1 million tonnes is projected. In the initial phase of the second harvest, production is estimated at 96.3 million tonnes. 

The survey’s projected production volumes for corn and soybeans will allow for exports of about 95.6 million tonnes for soy and 48 million tonnes for corn, Conab noted.