Uruguayan corn is approaching a super record amid the Ukraine war

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With a very favorable summer in terms of weather, Uruguayan corn is heading for a record harvest that may lead to a return of the country to the export market, also helped by the gap left in the international market by the absence of Ukraine and the scarce regional availability of the grain. Uruguay’s return to corn grain exports is even possible for the first time in several years.

The war has spotlighted the absence of wheat in the world, but the corn market is also very tight this year. Prices are up, and for farmers to wedge in such a year, a high yield can be of enormous importance.

This relevant availability of grain can support the growth of beef, dairy, and poultry production. But harvesting is still some time away. In the meantime, prices are climbing.

Uruguay may reach for the first time a production of 900,000 tons thanks to a gradual but persistent growth of the area, which reached 145,000 hectares this harvest (some of which were lost in December and January due to drought) and a yield that will be very good for second crops.

The crop had a poor performance in the first planting, which is beginning to be harvested.

In approximately 50% of the area, yields will be 3,500 kilos per hectare. These crops sown in October were severely affected by the drought that lasted until early January. But an increasingly important part of the corn is planted later, after a winter crop, and this will have a more than satisfactory yield that will allow a good supply. These crops are likely to yield twice as much, around 7,000 kilos per hectare.

Another part of the corn is irrigated and usually achieves around 10,000 kilos per hectare.

Thus, the average yield for this harvest would be slightly above 6,000 kilos per hectare – a high reference exceeded in three of the last four years.

Corn has been consolidating as a summer crop. The area has been growing, and yields are also improving. Genetic improvement, the strong expansion of domestic demand, and the gradual irrigation growth have allowed the crop margin to compete successfully with soybean in the best agricultural lands. As a result, Uruguay’s corn area is approaching 200,000 ha, gradually increasing and already at its highest level since the 1980s.