Mar 02, 2023

Safrinha Corn 39% Planted in Brazil vs. 52% Last Year

Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.

As farmers in Brazil finish harvesting their soybeans, many plant a second crop of corn known as the safrinha. Brazilian farmers had planted 39.1% of their 2022/23 safrinha corn as of February 24th compared to 52.4% last year and 48.7% average according to Safras & Mercado.

The safrinha corn planting is slower than normal this year due to the delayed soybean harvest caused by persistent wet weather especially in south-central Brazil. Safrinha planting is most advanced in the state of Mato Grosso where 56.4% of the corn has been planted followed by Goias at 35.8%, Mato Grosso do Sul at 27.9%, Parana at 26%, Minas Gerais at 12.3%, and Sao Paulo at 10%.

The ideal planting window for safrinha corn in south-central Brazil usually closes by the end of February. If the corn is planted later than that in the northern areas, it runs the risk of running out of moisture before it matures. If the corn is planted later than that in the southern areas, it runs the risk of frost before it has a chance to mature.

Brazilian farmers are expected to plant 14.9 million hectares of safrinha corn this year (36.8 million acres) compared to 14.8 million hectares in 2022 (36.5 million acres). Mato Grosso is expected to plant 6.65 million hectares followed by Goias at 2,41 million, Parana at 2.28 million, and Mato Grosso do Sul at 2.19 million.

The safrinha crop represents approximately three-quarters of Brazil's total corn production.