BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Brazil’s 2022-23 grain harvest set a production record at 322.8 million tonnes, an increase of 18% and 50 million tonnes over the previous year, according to a report from the National Supply Company (CONAB) released on Sept. 6.

The result reflected a larger planted area (78.5 million hectares) and better yield, CONAB said.

The overall total was spurred by a 23% increase year-on-year in soybean production, which is estimated at a record 154.6 million tonnes, it said. The report noted that productivity recovery was seen in the Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná and Santa Catarina provinces. In Rio Grande do Sul, there was also an improvement in crop performance, but it was limited due to unfavorable weather conditions during the development of the oleaginous plant.

A record corn crop also is estimated at 131.9 million tonnes, an increase of 18.7 million tonnes from 2021-22. The harvest is about 89% completed, CONAB said. In Brazil, there are three separate corn harvests per year. This year the first totaled 27.4 million tonnes, the second 102.2 million and the third is projected at 2.33 million.

With plenty of surplus from these bumper crops, Brazil will rank as the world’s top corn and soybean exporter in 2022-23, with 50 million tonnes of corn and 96.5 million tonnes of soybeans being shipped, CONAB said.