Agricultural production in Brazil is expected to hit record levels this year despite nagging droughts.

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics says crop yields this year are expected to reach 164-point-five million tons, up zero-point-seven percent from an August forecast of 163-point-three million tons.

The latest estimate is up two-point-eight percent compared to the previous record high of 160-point-one million tons last year.

The institute said rice, corn and bean yields make up the bulk of production at 91-point-three percent, noting those crops are grown on 85-point-one percent of Brazil's arable land.