Top wheat and soybean exporters grapple with historic drought - Brown

The article highlights the impact of severe drought conditions on major grain-producing regions in Russia and Brazil, causing significant challenges in crop planting. Russia, a key global wheat exporter, faces its driest September on record, leading to an 11-year low in winter wheat plantings. Similarly, Brazil, a major soybean exporter, is experiencing planting delays in Mato Grosso due to extreme dryness, marking the slowest start in five years. While Brazil expects rain in affected areas, Russia's outlook remains bleak with no immediate relief. These conditions have contributed to a recent increase in global wheat and soybean prices, though they are still below the peaks of recent years.

Oct 1 (Reuters) - The world's top grain-producing regions of Russia and Brazil suffered their driest Septembers on record, just as farmers in both export giants were struggling to plant their crops. That has pushed winter wheat plantings to an 11-year low in Russia, which accounts for a quarter of global wheat exports. Brazil accounts for nearly 60 percent of global soybean exports, but planting in the leading state of Mato Grosso had barely begun as of Friday, the slowest start in five years. These threats coincide with a recent rebound in global wheat and soybean prices from four-year lows, although prices are still well below the higher levels seen in the past couple of years. Fortunately for Brazil, soybean planting is still in its early stages, with rain forecast for drought-prone areas like Mato Grosso. But the situation in Russia is even worse, with winter grain planting in full swing and no relief in sight. RUSSIA In Russia’s Southern District, where the winter wheat ...