The grain economy

Brazil ranks second in global grain production with corn and soybeans with 10% and 30%, respectively, behind only the United States. According to a recent survey carried out by IBGE – Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, agriculture has boosted the results of the Brazilian economy.

 Among the products that stood out were corn (55,2%) and soybeans (19,4%). These data show the relevance of grains for the Brazilian economy, including for our internal supply, as they are used as base products for other industries, such as oils, animal feed and even fuels, as is the case with corn.

Grains are also important inputs for Brazilian exports. According to Conab (National Supply Company), it is estimated that the 2018/19 soybean harvest will reach between 117 and 119,42 million tons, while the corn harvest could reach up to 91,1 million tons.

Beans are also extremely important for the Brazilian market. According to information released by Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investment Agency), Brazil has been gaining international visibility in this market, with emphasis on transactions with India, which in 2017 imported around US$34 million.

This scenario shows us that it is no longer possible to rely on climate conditions, given that they can directly affect these crops. On the market it is now possible to find products that guarantee greater plant tolerance if there is not abundant water, some that help with the rooting of the seedling, solutions that give the seed faster and more vigorous development and special fertilizers that guarantee greater productivity.

Nowadays, it is essential to invest in technologies that help producers with the cultivation of their crops, from products that keep the plant's physiology 100% healthy, to more sophisticated monitoring systems.

Rodrigo Campos is the Marketing Manager at Fast Agro, a company focused on developing solutions for plant physiology.