Planting delays continue in parched Argentina

The situation in South America continues much the same as the past couple of months, with dryness across the major agricultural areas of Argentina while central Brazil sees plentiful rainfall. Drought conditions encompass much of the growing regions of Argentina and into Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. The drought has jeopardized yields across this region as unfavorable weather conditions have delayed planting and impacted growth. The dry weather pattern in Argentina continues into the final full week before Christmas (week ending Dec. 24) but there could be more widespread rainfall in the final week of December 2022.

The week ending on Dec. 17 was the 6th warmest and 6th driest second full week of December in over 30 years for the major growing regions of Argentina, according to data from WeatherTrends360. Hotter weather in the first part of the week gave way to cooler weather later in the week.

Little relief was offered for the drought-stricken area with only spotty showers dotting the landscape, and delays in corn and soy continue across the region as farmers wait for more favorable weather to arrive. Unfortunately, the longer they wait, the greater the risk to yields. With La Niña conditions continuing into early 2023, it’s unlikely that, at least in the short-term, there will be any significant relief from drought in Argentina as La Niña conditions are conducive to dryness in this region.

Dry conditions extended up into southern Brazil, and this was the third driest second full week of December in over 30 years for Rio Grande do Sul. Like Argentina, Rio Grande do Sul is experiencing drought with most of the meaningful rainfall remaining well to the state’s north across central Brazil. The third full week of December 2022 brings much the same as the past couple of weeks with scarce rainfall in Argentina’s growing regions and into southern Brazil while central Brazil is wetter. The week ending Dec. 24 is forecast to be the 10th driest third week of December in more than 30 years for the major production regions of Argentina. Meanwhile, this will be one of the wettest third weeks of December in over 30 years for central Brazil, including Mato Grosso, according to forecasts from WeatherTrends360. 

The chance for showers will increase late in the third week of December in Argentina, and there is some indication that the final full week of December could bring more widespread showers across the country’s growing regions. While this would likely be just a drop in the bucket of the rainfall the region needs, the widespread showers in Argentina arriving around Christmas would undoubtedly be a welcome gift for farmers across the region.

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