Rain in Argentina Gives Some Hope to the Country

Rain in Argentina is expected to come in the next few days. Citizens, especially farmers, can expect water levels high enough to help them bounce back from the losses that they have incurred because of the long drought that has been on-going since December. 

This is very beneficial for the country, as grains remain its major export globally. The country is also dependent on farm exports for foreign currency. Such a positive outlook on the agriculture sector is welcome, especially at a time when Argentina has unpaid debts to the International Monetary Fund. The country must still pay up to 40 billion dollars.

Cristian Russo, head agronomist at the Rosario Grains Exchange, shares that the weather patterns for the next few months are expected to change to the advantage of the soy and corn crop industries. Despite the damage that the unfavorable weather conditions have caused, this will be prevented from further progressing as rain in Argentina arrives.

He also said that “there was a change in the dynamic and that change means we won’t have to make a similar cut in the near future in Argentina and the situation will probably not get worse”. 

For the past two years, the country has suffered the negative effects of La Nina climate patterns. This has caused decreased levels of rain in Argentina, particularly in areas that have vast areas for farming.  

The aforementioned forecast on the weather conditions in Argentina was similarly supported by the Buenos Aires grains exchange. They said, however, that the rain in Argentina is helpful for stopping the worsening quality of crops, but it still remains insufficient to completely protect the country from water scarcity and the consequences of the drought.

Expected levels of rain in Argentina will continue to improve the situation of the corn fields located in the west, center, and south areas of the farming region. Despite this, there are still many areas that remain with fair and dry weather conditions.

The effects brought about by the La Nina weather pattern are expected to gradually decrease within the next month, said German Heinzenknecht, a meteorologist from the Applied Climatology Consultancy. Changes in the weather conditions are very timely as they coincide with the expected development of soy. 

At least 100 millimeters of rainfall are expected, and German Heinzenknecht claims that this should be enough to ease the worries of relevant stakeholders. 

Similarly, Leonardo De Benedictis, a meteorologist, shares that continuous rainfall can still be expected to occur, producing a total of 70 to 80 millimeters in the core agricultural area. He also estimates that rainfall will continue until the end of January. 

The Buenos Aires grains exchange also shared updates regarding the 2021/22 campaign. Soybean sowing has already achieved 95% of its target, and corn planting is at 88% of its completion.

The Situation Earlier this Month was not as Hopeful, There was not Much Rain in Argentina

Earlier this month, the Rosario Grains Exchange changed its forecast regarding corn production for 2021/22. From 56 million tonnes of corn, it decreased to 48 million tonnes. This 8 million ton decrease can be attributed to the longstanding drought and intense heat wave experienced by the country.

The Rosario Grains Exchange also decreased the forecast for soy planting area for 2021/22. It was expected to go as low as 100,000 hectares. This will result in possible further reductions in the forecast for production volumes. 

The lack of water contributed to the slow rate of crop growth due to flower abortion, leaf scorch, and the death of seedlings. Oxygen for crops is also insufficient since the temperature at night is not any better.

Soybean production also had a similar decrease in its forecast. It went down from 45 million tonnes of soybeans to 40 million tonnes. This has dire consequences for the income of farmers. A 2.9 billion dollar loss was projected, brought about by the unfavorable weather conditions and, subsequently, a decrease in crop quality and production.

Carlos Boffini, a grain farmer in Colon, said that “the early corn has been battered. The sun is fierce, it is seven in the evening and it continues to burn you”. The hot weather caused a 50% loss in the production of early corn.    

The change in weather conditions is working to the advantage of Argentina. This comes at an opportune time as production of soy and other crops nears its completion.