SÃO PAULO: Above-average rains in key corn-growing regions should bring relief to Brazilian farmers, easing drought fears as the country’s corn crop develops through the end of April.

According to the Thomson Reuters Agriculture Weather Dashboard, average rainfall in states such as Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Goiás will be between 60 and 80 millimetres in the second half of April.

Some corn-growing areas in those states will have rains of 100 millimetres in the period, the data showed.

“There were rains in late March and early April in Paraná and São Paulo states, maintaining soil humidity,” said Paulo Molinari, an analyst with Safras & Mercados consultancy. He noted fields are developing normally in those states, while in Mato Grosso and Goiás, conditions are almost “perfect.”

In the west and northwest of Paraná, the second-largest corn-producing state after Mato Grosso, rains will reach 94 millimetres in certain areas, slightly above average, the forecasts indicate.

The government estimates 88.61 million tonnes of corn will be harvested this cycle in Brazil.

Because this year some farmers planted corn outside the ideal window, producers in Paraná, a region normally colder than most of Brazil, could face frost that is potentially damaging to the crop.

“There is still no forecast of frost, but the risk exists with the end of La Niña,” Molinari said.