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Brazil corn farmers concerned about input cost and availability

A market analyst who specializes in South American crop production says higher input costs will impact Brazil’s second-crop corn.

Dr. Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor in Chicago tells Brownfield Safrinha corn will be planted in January and February.

“And everybody’s talking about the price of fertilizer, and if it’s going to be available or not.”

Despite those concerns, he still expects Brazil’s corn acreage to grow compared to last year.

“But we’re probably going to cut back somewhat on P and K, can’t cut back too much on nitrogen. But that crop is so risky they never really pour on the fertilizer to start with. So even though the Safrinha corn acreage goes up, the yields may go down a little bit.”

Cordonnier suggests Brazilian corn production is “up for grabs” at the prospect of less fertilizer, but he says the crop will mostly depend on the weather.