USDA GAIN: Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugar, Grain and Feed
04 February 2013
USDA GAIN: Argentina Grain and Feed January 2013
Wheat production and exports for marketing year 2012/13 are dropped to 10.3 million metric tons
(MMT) and 4.3 MMT, respectively, due to heavy rains and excess humidity that dropped final yields.
For the same reasons, barley production is reduced to 5 MMT, 500,000 tons lower than USDA official
estimates. Barley exports are also adjusted downwards by 400,000 tons. Corn production is estimated
at 27.5 MMT and domestic consumption is reduced by 400,000 MT. Rice production is expected to be
1.5 MMT (rough) and exports are down to 540,000 tons due to a reduced output and smaller beginning
stocks. 
Wheat: Post estimates Argentine wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2012/13 at 10.3 million
metric tons (MMT), 700,000 MT lower than USDA´s official number. Final yields are reported to have
been lower than expected, affected by excess rain and humidity. Some sources estimate production to
be even lower. The cut in production will directly affect exports, which post estimates at 4.3 MMT
(including wheat flour), 700,000 MT lower than USDA.
In mid-2012, the government announced a 6 MMT wheat export quota for crop MY2012/13. Exporters
have already purchased 4.7 MMT of wheat and have received export certificates for 4.5 MMT. The
unanticipated drop in production has the Government of Argentina (GOA) concerned that it will be
impossible to fulfill the 6 MMT export quota, therefore exports are limited to 2 MMT through February
2013. The GOA will also conduct a survey to determine the amount of wheat stocks in-country in order
to free the export surplus in early March. For the past six years since the quota system has been in
effect, there is uncertainty in the total amount of wheat stocks available. This has been especially true
over the past couple of years. Contacts estimate beginning stocks for MY2012/13 between 500,000 MT
and 1.6 MMT. The survey is expected to supply key information to determine an approximate export
volume for the rest of the season. Based on government data, MY2012/13 wheat exports through
January 16 totaled 1.1 million tons.
Barley: Post estimates production for MY 2012/13 at 5 MMT, 500,000 tons lower than USDA official
estimates. Excess rain and high temperatures that lasted a few weeks in early November reduced yields
and quality. Similar to wheat, there are some contacts who believe production could be even lower.
Despite this, the local malting industry is not expected to have problems sourcing 1.2 MMT of good
quality barley for its needs. The drop in output will however negatively affect exports, which are
reduced 400,000 tons to 3.6 MMT. Barley exports are estimated at 2.1 MMT for feed use and 1.5
MMT for malting. Like the local malting industry, the poor quality of a large part of the production is
not expected to limit exports and traders indicate that almost all available barley will be exported, with only 100,000 tons to be used locally for feed. Through mid-January the government reported no barley exports for MY2012/13.
Corn: Production is reduced slightly to 27.5 MMT. The condition of most corn is very good as soil moisture during the first stages of the crop was optimal. However, weather since late December has been very dry and good rainfall is needed in the next few days and during February to secure expected generalized high yields. Post projects domestic consumption to be 7.9 MMT, 400,000 tons less than USDA official estimates, which can be attributed to slim returns in the local feedlot and dairy industries.
Sorghum: There are no changes for production in MY2012/13. For MY2011/12, Post raises sorghum production to 4.4 MMT, 200,000 tons higher than USDA official estimates due to higher yields than previously estimated. The extra production pushes exports up to 3.2 MMT, as local traders have been very active exporting sorghum.
Rice: Post expects rough production of rice in MY2012/13 to be 1.5 MMT, 100,000 tons lower than the USDA official number. Plantations in general are in good condition. However, due to excess rain during the October planting season, most plantings in Entre Rios, Santa Fe and south Corrientes were delayed until November, reducing potential yields. Post´s beginning stocks for MY2012/13 are pegged at 80,000 tons, 45,000 tons lower than USDA’s estimate. Rice mills and traders report that there is little rice available in-country due to the high volume of exports in MY2011/12. The combination of a smaller carry-in stock and a smaller production will negatively affect exports for MY2012/13, which post estimates at 540,000 tons, a reduction of 110,000 tons from the USDA official number.
February 2013
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