Abrass communicates impact of Covid-19 on soybean seed production

In view of the current Covid-19 pandemic scenario and considering the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Government – ​​Ministry of Health and other state and municipal health authorities, the Brazilian Association of Soy Seed Producers – ABRASS – informs that it has adopted measures to prevent and spread the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

According to the president of the association, Tiago Fonseca, employees were released to provide services via telework (home office). Travel has been suspended and meetings will be held via video conferences. Important events of the entity also had their dates rescheduled.

“Out of respect for our employees, associates, friends and partners, all activities have been temporarily relocated. Considering the increase in coronavirus cases in Brazil, it was necessary to act quickly. The moment calls for caution and prevention for the well-being of society”, stated the president.

The same action was taken by associated companies. Owner of Íbera Sementes – in Ponta Grossa/PR, Tiago Fonseca, adhered to preventive measures.

“We need to take the same precautions in seed producing units. Agriculture will not be able to stop activities completely, but caution is needed at this time”, concluded the businessman.

For the production manager, Luis Salomão - Sementes Goiás, in Rio Verde (GO) - the current situation requires companies to take social responsibility and search for new tools as allies to carry out business. For him, the biggest impact will be on the commercial seed sector.

“We launched the campaign last week and would be at the peak of sales. Now that we need to avoid personal contact, we are trying to reinvent the way we reach customers, using digital. But in many cases, due to lack of internet, this will not be possible”, reported Luis Salomão.

The manager assesses that it is still too early to analyze the impact of covid-19 on the seed market. “We have soybean values ​​at great levels and the capitalized producer is in a good moment, able to bargain. The pandemic helps because it has reduced the number of purchasing customers at this difficult time”, commented Salomão.

In the manager's view, this market will be at least 2 months late, if seed producers have to adhere to the general closure of companies. “Production in our region was not affected, we have practically all areas harvested. The coronavirus will affect processing, which is slower and could be even more affected! We received a visit from the city hall asking about the impact if we had to close our doors for 15 days. If this becomes a rule, the scenario will change”, concluded the company manager.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the situation of soybean seed producers is more worrying. According to Efraim Fischmann, director and president of Sementes Estrela – in Porto Alegre (RS) – and director of communication and marketing at ABRASS, the harvest of soybean seeds reached 40%, is in full harvest and was greatly affected by the drought.

For the director, the situation could worsen if units and roads in the south of the country have to be closed, strict regulations that could occur in the face of coronavirus prevention. “We are still receiving the product, imagine the producer who will not be able to collect soy from the fields! I believe that such measures would be the last to be carried out, as soy is food. We hope to be able to finish this harvest”, admitted Efraim Fischmann.

Considering the entire national scenario and taking the necessary precautions, the following is a new schedule of ABRASS events:

ABRASS Academy 2020

Module 2 – June 19th and 20th.

Module 3 – 10th and 11th of July.

Module 4 – 11th and 12th of September.

Module 5 – October 16th and 17th.

Module 6 – December 11th and 12th.

ENSSOJA 2020

It will be held from August 28th to 30th, at Club Med Village Trancoso – Porto Seguro – Bahia.