A government agency in Brazil, Conab, forecasts that the next grain harvest there will amount to 238.54 million tonnes, the most ever, Reuters reports.

The news agency quotes Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi as saying at a briefing by Conab that the size of the harvest will depend on the weather.

Conab forecasts that the next maize harvest will amount to 91.08 million tonnes, 12.75 percent more than the last harvest.

It forecasts that the next soybean harvest will be 119.42 million tonnes, a little bigger than the last harvest, which is the biggest yet.

Reuters quotes Mr Maggi as expressing hope that strong Chinese demand for Brazilian grain will persist next year.