SÃO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil’s soybean exports were estimated this Wednesday at 10.65 million tons in April, a drop of 24% compared to the same month last year, according to a report from the National Association of Exporters of Cereals (Anec).
In volumes, the reduction compared to April 2023 would be 3.4 million tons.
This month usually records some of the highest monthly export volumes of the year in the country, the largest global producer and exporter of the oilseed, as the harvest is already more advanced at this time.
Anec did not present, in the report, reasons for the decline in volumes shipped, but cites problems in the Brazilian harvest due to the drought.
Compared to March, the reduction in exports in April is projected at 2.9 million tons.
Brazil had already had reduced shipments in March compared to the same month last year, to 13.56 million tons.
In the first quarter, Brazil exported 25.42 million tons, according to Anec figures, still above the same period last year, 22.9 million tons.
Considering the projection for April, exports in the first four months would total around 36 million tons, remaining almost 1 million tons below the same period last year, thanks to the drop expected for this month.
The reduction in shipments comes amid the harvest of a smaller crop than last year’s record. Anec cited figures from Agroconsult, which projects a 2023/24 harvest of 156.5 million tons.
(Reporting by Roberto Samora; editing by Letícia Fucuchima)
