Argentina – the world's No. 3 corn exporting country – has slashed millions of tons from its harvest projections for the current crop due to a rare plague of leafhoppers, which can carry a stunt disease that damages the cobs and kernels of the plant. Agriculture and climate experts have linked the outbreak to rising temperatures.

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Argentina, recognized as the world's third-largest corn exporter, has revised its harvest projections downward by millions of tons for the current crop year, attributing the significant shortfall to an outbreak of leafhoppers. These tiny yellow insects carry a disease known as "stunt disease," which can severely damage the cobs and kernels of corn plants. The infestation of leafhoppers, described as a rare plague, has been linked by agriculture and climate experts to rising temperatures, which have created favorable conditions for their proliferation.

The increase in leafhopper populations is directly tied to global warming, which has led to fewer frosts that traditionally help control their numbers. With predictions of a warm winter ahead, corn producers are concerned that such infestations may become more frequent. Cristian Russo, the head of agricultural estimates at the Rosario Grains Exchange, pointed out the severity of the situation, noting that whereas Argentina's corn production could have exceeded 60 million tons, projections have now been adjusted to 50.5 million tons due to the leafhopper outbreak. This reduction highlights the significant impact of the infestation and raises concerns about the potential for even greater losses, which will be better understood later in the year.

Leafhoppers have been found nearly 1,000 miles south of their traditional habitats, in areas that were previously too cold for them, indicating a tenfold increase in their numbers across Argentina. This unprecedented spread has prompted the Provincial Grain Exchange in the country's main corn region to estimate related corn losses at $1.13 billion. In response to these challenges, some farmers are considering planting less corn in the future, instead opting for other crops like soy, which is not affected by leafhoppers.

The Argentine government, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, is moving to expedite the authorization of pesticides to combat the leafhopper plague. Additionally, officials have engaged with farm associations to explore strategies aimed at mitigating the damage caused by these pests. Despite these efforts, the long-term outlook remains uncertain, especially if the expected mild winter permits leafhopper populations to surge further in the coming season.



Leafhopper bug plagues Argentina's corn fields

Global warming has brought Argentina's corn farmers a dangerous new enemy, leafhoppers. A rare plague of the tiny yellow insects has slashed millions of tons from Argentina's harvest projections for the current crop. Agriculture and climate experts have linked the unusual outbreak in the world's number three corn-exporting country to rising temperatures. Leafhoppers thrive in warmer conditions, and with fewer frosts in recent years to check their spread and forecasts calling for a warm winter ahead, corn producers fear such infestations could become more regular. Here's Cristian Russo, the head of agricultural estimates at the Rosario Grains Exchange. We should be talking about an Argentine production of more than 60 million tons of corn, and because of this insect we are talking about 50.5 million tons and about enormous concern, because the truth is that the autopsy, the final level of damage of this leafhopper will probably be known after the middle of the year, and we all suspect that it will be much worse than what we are seeing. Russo says leafhopper numbers in Argentina are 10 times the average level, and that they've been found nearly 1,000 miles south of traditional areas, where previously it has been too cold. The Provincial Grain Exchange in the main corn region of the country has estimated leafhopper-related corn losses of $1.13 billion. Without a hard freeze this winter, one producer in the north told Reuters that leafhopper numbers will explode again next season. Some farmers have already said they will sow less corn and prioritize other crops such as soy, which is not affected by the bugs. Argentina's government did not respond to a request for comment on this story, but has looked to speed authorization for pesticides to fight leafhoppers. They've also recently met with farm associations to discuss strategies to mitigate damage.

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