With the end of the sanitary gap, Paraná begins planting soybeans on 5,8 million hectares

The soybean health break, a period in which the existence of any soybean plant emerging in the field is prohibited, ended on August 31 for region 2 of Paraná – North, Northwest, West and Central-West. However, the dry weather made more intense planting unfeasible, with very isolated sowings that are not yet measurable in percentage terms.

This is one of the topics analyzed in the Agricultural Situation Bulletin for the week of September 6 to 12. The document prepared by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), of the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply, also addresses other topics, among them the high price of wheat to the producer who, however, had high losses due to frost and drought.

Unlike last year, when the sanitary break began on September 10 for the entire state, in 2024 it was staggered. Some producers can plant from the beginning of the month. Region 1 – South, East, Campos Gerais and Coast – is allowed to plant emerged plants from September 19, while in the Southwest the period begins on September 20.

According to a survey by Deral, there are only reports of isolated plantings, due to the lack of rain. In previous years, at least 1% of the area would already have soybean plants emerging. For the 2024/25 harvest, the estimate is 5,8 million hectares planted for a harvest of 22,3 million tons.

Simepar points to the possibility of rainfall exceeding 10 millimeters next weekend in much of the state. If confirmed, soybean producers in the area already cleared should take advantage and speed up planting.

Wheat – in one month, a bag of wheat went from R$75,57 to R$78,70. The 4% increase in price is unusual, as the product is being harvested, going from 1% to 18% of the area in the same period and is already starting to supply the market. Last year, prices in September, compared to August, fell by 19%.

“The movement, unfortunately, happened late and does not benefit producers in full, as it is a result of the 17% losses suffered both due to droughts and frosts,” said agronomist Carlos Hugo Godinho, crop analyst at Deral.

Even greater losses are projected, due to the persistent drought and frost damage that will become more evident with the harvest.

Vegetable crops – the document also discusses vegetable farming, present in all 399 municipalities in Paraná with a range of 50 cultivated species. Last year, the activity generated R$7,2 billion in financial transactions and accounted for 3,6% of the R$198 billion in total agricultural production in Paraná.

A total of 2,97 million tons were produced on 117,6 thousand hectares. Potatoes, tomatoes and cassava for human consumption are among the main vegetables. The Curitiba Regional Center is the largest producer in the state, and within it the highlight is São José dos Pinhais.