Brasília – According to the 5th Survey of the Grain Harvest 2017/2018, released on Thursday (8) by the National Supply Company (Conab), grain production of the 2017/2018 harvest can reach 225.6 million tonnes. Even with a decline of 5.1% compared to the previous crop, which was the highest in all history (237.7 million tons), this year’s harvest should be in second place in relation to the historical series.

With a growth of more than 0.2%, the total area surpassed 61 million hectares. Among crops, the preference of the producer is followed by corn and soybeans, which represent almost 88% of the grains produced in the country. In the case of soybeans, production dropped 2.2%, reaching 111.6 million tons against 114.1 million tons / t in the last period. For total corn, the expectation is a reduction of 10.1%, going from 97.8 million to 88 million tons. The first crop may be at 24.7 million tonnes, while the second harvest shows a possible production of up to 63.3 million tonnes.

“The crop is still big and the area is important. The dynamism continues in agriculture and the reduction on the last survey is insignificant. We are going to harvest a very large crop, large enough to supply the domestic market, “commented the substitute secretary for Agricultural Policy Map, Sávio Pereira. He added there were loose stocks of corn, rice. And noted that the country will continue to export grain records as has been the case in previous years.

The study also shows that the most favorable scenario is that of cotton, with a 17% increase in pen production, totaling 1.79 million tons and 1.1 million hectares, with an increase of 17.4% in the area. This increase, along with that of soybean, favored the expansion of the total planted area. With greater liquidity and possibility of better yields compared to other crops, the legume tends to average 3.3% and can reach 35 million hectares.

In terms of productivity, soybeans point to an estimated fall of 3,185 kg / hectare compared to 3,364 of the previous harvest. Since the crops are still in the early stages of harvesting, the figures released are based on the yields obtained from the field surveys with the company’s agrometeorological and spectral monitoring. The survey was conducted at major grain-producing centers in the country, between January 21 and 27.

Source: Comex do Brasil