RIO DE JANEIRO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's grain crop output in 2007 is expected to reach a record 142 million tons, up 7.8 percent from the 131.7 million tons harvested in 2006, the National Supply Company said Thursday.

    According to a study carried out by the company since the beginning of 2008, the well-distributed rainfall last year, along with new investment and better technology, contributed to an increase in the grain crop forecast.

    The soybean crop was once more the highlight of the study, as it is expected to top 59.5 million tons, up 1.9 percent from the previous harvest, representing 41.8 percent of the total grain crop estimated for the period.

    The corn crop is also expected to increase to 57.8 million tons, up 12 percent from the previous reap, representing 40.7 percent of the entire harvest.