Argentina's soyabean area seen at 19 million hectares

Argentina's 2011/12 soyabean area is seen at 19.0 million hectares, up a touch from 18.9 million hectares last season, the Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday in its first forecast for the crop. The government forecast came just after the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said it expected that 18.85 million hectares would be planted with 2011/12 soya, up from its week-earlier view of 18.60 million hectares.
The South American country is the world's No 3 soyabean exporter and its top soyaoil and soyameal supplier.