Argentina Gets Some Rain Relief

Hevay showers Thursday night and Friday across Argentina's parched grain belt brought some relief for the country's struggling wheat crop.

Rains of up to 60mm fell north of Buenos Aires province, south of Entre Rios and west of Cordoba, according to the Rosario Grain Exchange.

But with the crop estimated to be already 20% harvested, exactly how much benefit these rains will bring is debatable.

Early harvest results show yields to be down around 20% on last season, due to drought and decreased fertiliser usage.

With a lower planted area as well, final output is generally estimated in the region of 10mmt, around 35-40% down on 2007, with some estimates coming in as low as 9mmt.