Strawberry production in the south of Minas should reach 173 thousand tons in 2024, says Emater-MG

In the region of Pouso de Alegre, in the south of Minas Gerais, a large fruit producing hub, the arrival of the new strawberry crop usually occurs in April, but adverse weather conditions at the beginning of the year delayed the harvest of the product. The new strawberries are only now reaching consumers, which has caused prices to rise in recent months. But despite the delay, the new harvest was good and, data from Emater-MG, estimates that annual production will be approximately 173 thousand tons of strawberries in the region.

The average productivity in the region this year should be 51,3 thousand kilos per hectare, in a total planted area of ​​3.381 hectares. The largest producing municipalities in the south of Minas are Pouso Alegre (40 thousand tons), Espírito Santo do Dourado (39,65 tons), Bom Repouso (29 thousand tons), Estiva (19,2 thousand tons) and Senador Amaral (16,5 tons). XNUMX thousand tons). “This year, we had a very warm start to autumn with little rain. This delayed flowering, but on the other hand we didn't have any health problems. People are excited, because, despite the delay, the new harvest came with good quantity and quality”, comments the regional coordinator of Crops at Emater-MG, Hélio João de Farias.

family farmers

97% of strawberry production in the south of Minas comes from family farming, with around 9.500 family farmers involved in the activity in the Pouso Alegre region. “The profitability is good, but it is a culture that demands a lot of labor. Currently, people have invested a lot in suspended planting, because it is more ergonomic, the producer does not have to work crouched down. Furthermore, it occupies a smaller area, makes disease management easier and increases the longevity of the substrates”, argues Hélio.

The coordinator points out that planting strawberries in the ground is cheaper, but also more laborious. As labor is becoming scarce in the region, producers have invested heavily in new technologies. “People have been trying to obtain financing via Pronaf or other bank loans to finance investments. Despite the initial cost, it is worth it as it is an investment that pays off in the long term and makes the producer’s life much easier,” he says.

Good prices

The Pouso Alegre region has benefited greatly from the rise in strawberry prices, which grow in proportion to the increase in internal and external demand. Due to the low supply of the product in recent months, a box with one kilo of strawberries (with 4 trays) was sold for between R$30 and R$35. “With the arrival of the new harvest, prices should reduce a little. The expectation is that a kilo of product will range from around R$25 to R$30”, says Hélio.

In 2023, there was also a strong increase in strawberry prices, according to data from Ceasa Minas. The annual average grew by 29% in relation to the average price practiced in 2022. Part of the increase was due to the increase in costs with labor, inputs and seedlings, which motivated some producers to reduce the area allocated to cultivation , reducing supply.

Minas Gerais producers have also been increasing strawberry exports, which last year increased by 196%. According to the "Agribusiness Balance of Minas Gerais in 2023, released at the end of April by the State Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Minas Gerais (Seapa), with movements in the internal and external markets, the crop reached the figure of 949,4 million, in 2022. According to the study, the South of Minas accounts for around 90% of the state's strawberry production, and the Pouso Alegre region is responsible for 87,5% of the Minas Gerais harvest .