by Roberto Machel
SAO PAULO, Jun 29 (Reuters) – Frosts hit agricultural regions in Brazilian states such as Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul on Tuesday, which may anticipate further losses for corn crops and a paralysis of the domestic market for the grain, a key ingredient of livestock feed.
In a note to clients, meteorological consultancy Rural Clima said the cold weather would continue on Wednesday.
In neighboring Paraguay, which has been exporting corn to Brazil to make up for tight local supplies, the frosts were “harsh,” said meteorologist Marco Antonio dos Santos.
However, the rains in some areas reduced the damage, especially in the north of Paraná.
Paulo Molinari, an analyst at Safras & Mercado, predicted further losses for Brazil’s second corn crop after the cold front passed. The region that includes Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul and also Paraguay is facing another frosty Wednesday, he said.
Molinari said it was too early to know the magnitude of the losses.
“I can’t say yet, as it just happened,” Molinari told Reuters. “Some fields, depending on the severity of the frosts tonight, face the possibility of losing 100%.”
Bad weather has also paralyzed Brazil’s domestic corn market, with no farmer sales due to production uncertainty, Molinari said.
