Argentina Weather Outlook Positive for Soy and Corn Planting, Meteorologist Says

By Maximilian Heath

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 24 (Reuters) – Recent rainfall over Argentina’s agricultural heartland will likely continue into November, allowing for the normal planting of soybeans and corn, a leading meteorologist told Reuters on Thursday.

The expectation of healthy rainfall follows significant precipitation in recent weeks that reversed an earlier dry spell over the key farming area, home to much of the South American nation’s grains output.

“The final days in October will be dry, but we’ll see a return to rain in November,” said meteorologist German Heinzenknecht, citing a trend that should cover top farmland with around 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rainfall.

“Humidity reserve levels are very high for soybeans and corn,” noted Heinzenknecht, an expert with weather consultancy Applied Climatology Consulting.

The country’s 2024/25 soybean crop is expected to yield 52-53 million metric tons, while the corn harvest will likely reach 51-52 million tons, according to the latest estimates from the Rosario Grains Exchange.

According to a separate report from the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange, nearly 29% of the 6.3 million hectares (15.6 million acres) reserved for corn have been sown so far.

The report also sees recent rains boosting the corn crop, including fertilization, as well as helping the 2024/25 wheat harvest, which it sees yielding 18.6 million tons.

The wheat harvest kicks off in November and ends early next year.

Over the past couple weeks, between 200-250 millimeters (8-10 inches) of rain was registered over the country’s main agricultural zone.

Planting for corn kicked off in September for the 2024/25 crop, while soybeans are in their early sowing stage. Both crops should proceed normally with the likelihood of adequate rainfall.

Heinzenknecht explained that forecasts for a weak La Nina weather phenomenon should only have a limited impact on local weather patterns in December, which marks the start of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, a season that usually sees less rainfall.

La Nina typically brings below-average rain patterns to Argentina’s main farmland.

“Maybe we’ll see some December interference from La Nina, but it won’t lead to extreme risk. There could be some dryness, but that’s more due to regional factors that could see quick corrections,” he said.

Heinzenknecht added that he expects La Nina’s impact on the weather to diminish as an influential factor from the end of January.

(Reporting by Maximilian Heath; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Marguerita Choy)