<article><p class="lead">Brazil's 2019-20 grain and oilseed crops are poised to reach record production of 245.8mn metric tons (t), boosted by an increase in acreage and a recovery in the soybean crop, which will also likely break a record.</p><p>The number would mark an increase of 1.6pc from the last cycle. The total area planted is also expected to reach a record of nearly 64mn hectares (158mn acres), up 1.1pc from last year's season, the country's agricultural statistics agency (Conab) said today in its first report on the new season.</p><p>Farmers have already started planting soybean and corn in some southern and west-central areas of the country. Both commodities - including the winter corn crop, sowed after the soybean harvest - account for 90pc of all Brazil's grain and oilseed crops. Other crops included in the total are sunflower, barley and peanuts, among others.</p><p>Soybean output is estimated at a record 120.4mn t in the 2019-20 harvest, 4.7pc higher than the 2018-19 season, when unfavorable weather conditions hampered yields in some producing regions. The planted area this year is expected to reach 36.6mn ha, up by 1.9pc from last year.</p><p>Corn output is estimated to reach 98.4mn t in this season, down by 1.7pc from a 100mn t record reached in 2018-19. Farmers are expected to sow 17.5mn ha with the cereal this season, virtually flat on an annual basis.</p><p>Cotton lint production is forecast at 2.7mn t in the current harvest, 0.4pc below output in the 2018-19 crop year, with planting totaling 1.6mn ha, up by 1.2pc on the prior season.</p><h3>Exports</h3><p>Conab estimates that Brazil's soybean exports will reach 72mn t in the 2019-20 crop cycle, slightly up from 70mn in 2018-19. Corn shipments are expected to decrease to 34mn t from 38mn t last year.</p><p>Cotton lint exports are seen at 1.8mn t, compared with 1.5mn t in 2018-19.</p></article>
