Argentina's 2019/20 wheat harvest is estimated at 18.5 million tonnes, down from a previous forecast of 18.8 million tonnes, due to an outbreak of harmful Fusarium fungi, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said in a weekly crop report on Thursday.
This season's wheat has faced unusually dry weather that hurt yields in some parts of the country, causing previous crop forecast cuts. However, excess moisture in some regions have created conditions for fungi to spread, the report said.
"In the center of the farm area, yields obtained so far are lower than expected," the report said. "And expectations have dropped sharply with the spread of Fusarium fungal diseases."
The separate Rosario grains exchange has cut its wheat harvest forecast to 19 million tonnes from 20 million tonnes.
Wheat harvesting in Argentina happens in November through January, with 13.3% of the crop brought in so far.