Winter favors temperate climate fruit trees in RS

The climatic conditions recorded in the winter of 2025 were considered favorable for the development of temperate fruit trees in Rio Grande do Sul. Agrometeorological Report No. 90, prepared by the State Department of Agriculture (Seapi-RS), highlights that the accumulation of cold hours between May and August was within or above the historical average, a key factor in breaking plant dormancy.

In Veranópolis, a leading producer of grapes and other temperate fruits, the accumulated cold temperatures for the period reached 367 hours—temperatures equal to or below 7,2°C. "Every month presented average or above-average values. This scenario favors the breaking of bud dormancy and ensures more uniform budding and fruiting, resulting in good production potential," explains researcher Loana Cardoso, one of the study's authors.

Above average rainfall

During the same period, the Simagro-RS and Inmet networks recorded higher-than-average rainfall volumes in the Center-South region, ranging from 200 to 300 millimeters. Despite the excess rainfall, there was no significant damage to agriculture.

“Records of flooding and inundation were restricted to urban areas in municipalities such as São Lourenço do Sul and Santa Maria, without significant impact on crops,” observes Loana.

Featured frosts

The survey recorded 61 frosts in the state between May and August, most of them in June (52,5%) and of severe intensity (62%). "Climatologically, July is usually the month with the highest occurrence, but this year the cold weather was concentrated earlier. For winter crops, such as wheat, this can be positive, as cold weather at the beginning of the cycle stimulates tillering and increases production potential," explains the researcher.

In canola, however, frosts recorded in the first week of July coincided with the flowering phase in some crops. "This factor may have impacted productivity, although the damage has not yet been quantified," adds Loana.

Monthly monitoring

Produced by the Agrometeorology group of the Department of Agricultural Diagnosis and Research (DDPA/Seapi), the Agrometeorological Communication is published monthly and gathers data from Simagro and Inmet stations. In addition to weather conditions, the publication analyzes the impacts of climate on the main agricultural crops and livestock in Rio Grande do Sul.