The leafhopper continues to wreak havoc in the countryside. The Buenos Aires Cereal Exchange cut the corn harvest by 3 million tons up to 46.5 million tons, with a loss of almost US$ 2,000 million.
According to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, the survey in the last three weeks continues to sustain a decline in expected returnss for the late dates and approaches of the north of the country, added to a significant increase in non-harvestable area. In addition, he maintained that an earlier start to the harvest is expected.
It is estimated that, for the NOA, NEA, north central Córdoba, north central Santa Fe, Núcleo Norte and Entre Ríos zones, the area that was initially allocated for grain but that cannot be harvested would amount to an average of 17%. of the planted area.
Thus, in this context, the entity estimated corn harvest at 46.5 million tons3 million tons less in relation to the last estimate made 15 days ago, and 10 million tons less than what was projected at the beginning of the campaign.
According to calculations, with a corn value of US$180/US$190, The 10 million fewer tons have already generated losses of almost US$2 billion.
The leafhopper is a small pest insect that affects corn and has advanced from the north of the country and is wreaking havoc throughout the agricultural area nationwide, transmitting a devastating disease to crops: stunting, caused by the bacteria Spiroplasma kunkelii.
This week the Government convened the ministers and secretaries of agriculture and production of the central and northern provinces of the country where they advanced in the coordination of new joint measures to face the problem of “stunting of corn”, caused by the leafhopper. There they agreed to sign a joint statement to “join efforts” in the face of the unexpected outbreak of the disease.
In turn, Senasa expedited the registration of three insecticides: two from Syngenta and one from Corteva.
Given the fall of the corn harvest, soybeans once again remain the main crop produced in Argentina. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange estimates a production of 51 million tons, with 36% of the planted area. In any case, the entity warned that the lower returns that are occurring in the north of the country could lower that figure.
The harvest is early
The Rosario Stock Exchange added that the effects and damage from spiroplasma continue to take center stage in the core region. “This year, as soon as the early corn harvest is finished, it will be immediately followed by the late corn harvest. We are planning to begin the harvest in mid-May, when in a normal year the late corn harvest only begins in July,” they stated.