April was marked by above-average rain and good harvest conditions in Paraná

April 2024 recorded, in general, a large amount of rain in Paraná. The meteorological system that caused the most intense, voluminous and widespread rains in the State was low pressure coming from Argentina/Paraguay, which acted on the 12th to 17th. There were other instability systems, but they caused significant precipitation only in the South region. and on the Coast.

The most abundant rains were concentrated on the Coast and Southwest of Paraná. The highest rainfall occurred in Guaraqueçaba, on the Coast, where it rained 386,4 mm. The lowest rainfall recorded was 39,6 mm in Assis Chateaubriand, in the west of the state.

Precipitation anomalies were very close to or higher than the historical average in all regions. The Coast and Southwest recorded rainfall surpluses of 103,7 mm and 97,5 mm, respectively, in relation to the historical average. The North and Northwest regions were those that recorded the lowest rainfall, with values ​​close to the historical average. The average rainfall in April was 155,5 mm, while the historical average for the month is 114,2 mm.

The heat was quite intense in Paraná, with air temperatures above the historical average throughout the State, especially the minimum temperatures. In Cianorte and Cambará, the minimum air temperature anomaly reached 3,5º C. In Guaíra, in the West, the average maximum air temperature was 31,6° C, with the historical average being 28,7° C. On the state average, the maximum and minimum air temperatures were 1,2° C and 2,3° C above the historical average, respectively.

Check out the impact on crops:

Corn 2nd harvest – During the month of April, the development conditions of 68% of safrinha corn crops were good, 22% were average and 10% were poor. There was a worsening compared to March due to the intense heat and the attack of pests and diseases. Another aggravating factor was the drought that occurred in the first half of April in the Northwest and North regions of Paraná, which hampered the vegetative development and flowering of the crop.

Corn 1nd harvest – In April, 28% of the 1st harvest corn areas in Paraná presented conditions considered good, 45% average and 27% poor. The condition of the crop worsened compared to the previous month. Drought, intense heat and pest attacks during the harvest significantly affected the crop. It is estimated that 98% of Paraná's crop was harvested by the end of the month.

Soy – all soybeans grown in Paraná were harvested. This harvest presented 83% of the grains in good condition and 17% in average conditions. The loss in productivity was due to high air temperatures and scarce and irregular rainfall during the harvest.

2nd harvest beans – By the end of April, 16% of the bean area had been harvested and the development conditions of 66% of the crops were good, 25% average and 9% poor. There was a worsening compared to March, when 92% of crops were in good condition. This occurred as a result of excessive rain in the southern region of Paraná, which is the main producer, causing the seed to germinate while still in the pod. The high air temperatures recorded in April also caused severe whitefly attacks and failures in grain formation.

Wheat - began sowing wheat in Paraná and 17% of the crop was planted by the end of April. The development conditions for 97% of the culture were good.

Cassava - In the North and Northwest regions of the State, rainfall concentrated over a few days in April favored the cassava harvest, which showed high productivity. However, in the Northwest region, the main producer of Paraná, the harvest progressed very slowly, due to the excess supply of the product to the detriment of the processing capacity of the starch factories.

Fruit growing – the climate favored seasonal fruit trees such as orange, poncã and guava, which are in the harvest phase and have good productivity.

Vegetable crops – Vegetables and vegetable crops in general showed good productivity.

Coffee - the coffee showed good fruiting and the majority of crops were in the maturation phase, with 84% considered to be in good condition and 16% in average condition. Only 2% of Paraná's coffee was harvested by the end of April.

Winter cereals – the sowing of winter cereals proceeds especially from black oats, white oats and barley. The south of the state is the main producing region and the abundant rains in April favored the development of these crops.

Pastures – In general, the pastures showed a good production of green mass.

Water sources – rivers, dams and streams had water levels within normal limits.