By Walter Bianchi
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 4 (Reuters) – Recent rainfall in Argentina’s wheat-growing regions, particularly in the west, has significantly improved crop conditions and the overall outlook for the season, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said on Thursday.
However, the exchange noted that around 27% of the planted area is experiencing waterlogging, leading to early reports of fungal disease outbreaks.
Despite this, virtually all of the crop remains in normal-to-excellent condition, the exchange said, with around 27% of wheat planted having reached its rapid growth phase.
While there is some concern over the latest downpours, the exchange views the moisture as a net positive “in light of the growing water demand the crop will have as it enters its reproductive stages.”
The 2025/26 wheat crop spreads out across 6.7 million hectares (16.6 million acres), the exchange estimates.
Argentina is a key global wheat exporter, with Brazil and Indonesia as the primary destinations for its shipments.
Meanwhile, the excessive rains have slowed down the corn crop, the exchange said, as farmers struggle to harvest the previous crop and plant the new one.
(Reporting by Walter Bianchi; Editing by Marguerita Choy)