Producers from Paraná begin planting their second corn crop

Producers in the South region began planting corn in the second 2023/24 harvest in Paraná. As it has lower average temperatures during winter, it is in this region that sowing traditionally begins, which allows for early harvesting and a lower incidence of risks.

The information is part of the Agricultural Situation Bulletin for the week from December 29, 2023 to January 3, 2024. The document, prepared by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), of the State Secretariat for Agriculture and Supply (Seab) , also provides information on other agricultural and livestock activities.

In the context of state production of the second harvest, with an initial projection of 14,4 million tons, the South region is not very significant, but is an excellent alternative for some producers. To date, just over 1,6 hectares of the 2,4 million hectares planned for this harvest in Paraná have been planted.

With the soybean harvest expected to begin in the first half of January, corn planting is expected to intensify across the state, as it occupies part of the same area. The end of sowing of this period's main crop should end at the end of March.

In relation to the first harvest, the harvest is just beginning with very little percentage representation. Paraná producers planted 309 thousand hectares during the cycle, which represents the smallest area in history for the period. The expectation is that 3 million tons will be harvested.

Bean – the sowing of the second crop of beans continues at a slow pace. In the last 15 days it went from 1% to 2% of the 293 thousand hectares predicted. On the other hand, sunny weather helped with the harvest of the first crop, with an increase from 15% to 40% of the 113 thousand hectares. As a result, 70 thousand tons of the current harvest are now available.

Wheat - the bulletin also analyzes the evolution in the price of French bread, which, on average, became 2,6% more expensive in 2023 (R$ 11,44 per kilo) when compared to 2022 (R$ 11,15). As it has an important presence in the inflation index, this small percentage increase contributes to ensuring that the inflation target remains within forecast. In 2022, compared to 2021 (R$9,86), bread had become 13% more expensive.

French Fries – Paraná should have 26,1 thousand hectares sown with potatoes for the period 2023/24. The first harvest, with 14,7 thousand hectares, is all planted. Harvesting has also begun and 65%, or 9,5 hectares, have already been removed. Of the second harvest, planting covers 29% (3,3 thousand hectares) of the estimated 11,4 thousand hectares.