BUENOS AIRES, March 14 (Reuters) - The percentage of Argentine soybean plantings with optimal-to-excellent soil moisture grew to 77% in the last week, boosted by recent rains, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said on Thursday.
Argentina is one of the world's top exporters of processed soybeans, and the exchange estimates the 2023/24 harvest at 52.5 million metric tons.
In the nation's main growing region, "nine out of every 10 hectares are in normal-to-excellent crop condition," according to the exchange. It added that 69% of the late-planted soy crop had adequate moisture conditions while it was in a key development stage.
However, a specialist noted earlier this week that if the intense rains keep up, the soy harvest could be delayed with some output lost.
The grains exchange also said that the 2023/24 corn crop was seeing an increase in the presence of maize leafhoppers, an insect which carries the harmful spiroplasma disease.
"An increase in the presence of leafhoppers in plots with late-planted corn is reported, with significant damage in the center of Santa Fe (province), the northern part of the northern growing region and west of Entre Rios (province), areas that in previous years had not been affected," the exchange said.
The exchange held its estimate for the corn harvest at 56.5 million tons, but said it was evaluating damages caused by the pest. (Reporting by Maximilian Heath; Writing by Kylie Madry Editing by Marguerita Choy)
