Area treated with pesticides grew 12,3% in the second quarter

The area treated with pesticides grew 12,3% in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2020. Between April and June, 175,2 million hectares were treated. Among the main reasons for the increase is the growing challenge with fungi, insects and weeds in various crops. The treated area represents the multiplication of cultivated area by volume of products and number of applications carried out and represents the methodology that best reflects the effective use of pesticides by farmers. The statistical data are part of an exclusive survey commissioned by the National Union of the Plant Defense Products Industry (Sindiveg).

"In the 2nd quarter of 2020, 156 million hectares were treated. This means that, from April to June this year, there was an increase of 19,1 million hectares. This phenomenon has been occurring consecutively since 2017, when 104 million hectares were treated of hectares in the second quarter. These statistics reveal the constant and growing concern of rural producers with phytosanitary challenges that harm crops and which, if not addressed, cause major production losses, providing food insecurity to the country", says the president of Sindiveg , Júlio Borges Garcia.

The effectiveness of pesticides used in Brazilian plantations contributes to strengthening the national economy, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and record food production – the most recent Conab survey indicates a grain harvest close to 261 million tons. In the second quarter, inputs were also relevant for defending crops against water scarcity. With the lack of rain, weeds compete with plants for nutrients and water, preventing the normal development of crops.

In volume, pesticides applied in the 2nd quarter reached 113,3 thousand tons, compared to 101,9 thousand tons in the same period last year – an increase of 11,1%. Among the main product segments, there was a 25% increase in the use of fungicides (from 17,4 thousand to 21,9 thousand tons), a 10% increase in the use of herbicides (from 38 thousand to 41,7 thousand tons) and 8% in the use of insecticides (from 33 thousand to 35,6 thousand tons). The data was commissioned by Sindiveg from Spark Consultoria Estratégica and helps to understand the problems faced by farmers in all Brazilian regions.

"The second quarter is marked by autumn weather and the beginning of winter, with dry and milder weather from the Midwest to the South, but still hot in the Northeast. The lack of rain is a constant challenge for crops. In this scenario, the use of agricultural pesticides is essential to avoid losses in a production cycle highly impacted by the climate. After all, if the climate is unpredictable, the use of modern crop protection and pest control technologies is essential for Brazil to fulfill its role as a major food producer, strengthening not only the trade balance, but the generation of income and jobs in the countryside", says Garcia.

The value of the applied products market fell 2,8% in the second quarter, falling from US$ 1,419 billion to US$ 1,380 billion. Of the total, 38% refer to insecticides, 28% to herbicides, 24% to fungicides, 3% to seed treatments and 7% to other products. The negative variation results from the devaluation of the real against the dollar, worsened by the economic crisis generated by the health crisis. This scenario justifies the sector's growth of 13,6% in Brazilian currency - the market value rose from R$6,432 billion to R$7,309 billion compared to April to June 2020.

"In the 2nd quarter of this year alone, the exchange rate loss was 14,5%, with the average dollar at R$5,02 in June 2021. Furthermore, the industry continues to face a sharp rise in the prices of raw materials and packaging , as well as an increase in logistics costs – both national and international. Sea freight continues to rise and manufacturers are already missing certain raw materials. The trend is for this scenario to worsen. The pesticide industry fulfills its role, working to avoid the shortage of active ingredients and, thus, offer solutions to problems that harm the productivity and profitability of the field", reports the president of Sindiveg.

In relation to the main crops, corn increased its share in the total area treated – from 15% to 28% –, while cotton (from 37% to 28%) and beans (from 9% to 8%) reduced their share. , as well as sugar cane (from 11% to 10%). Still considering applications in the second quarter, produce and pastures represented 3% of the treated area each, citrus and soybeans 2% and coffee 1%. "The 49,5 million hectares of corn treated with inputs, highlighted in the quarter, had as main targets sucking insects and caterpillars, as well as fungi", highlights Júlio Borges Garcia.

"Agricultural pesticides available on the Brazilian market have proven efficacy by science and safety guaranteed by various regulatory bodies. In 80 years, completed in May 2021, Sindiveg has worked to enhance the fight against phytosanitary challenges, by offering solutions that guarantee the increasing the production of safe and quality food for the population", concludes the president of the entity, which has 27 associated companies.

first semester 

From January to June, the area treated with agricultural pesticides increased by 9,4%, from 684,3 million hectares to 748,6 million hectares, with emphasis on insecticides (32% of the total). In volume, there was an increase of 7,6% (from 439.074 tons to 472.436 tons), 39% related to herbicides. The market value, in dollars, decreased by 7,9%, from US$5,763 billion to US$5,308 billion – soybeans represented 31% and insecticides 37%. In Brazilian currency, there was an increase of 13% (from R$25,188 billion to R$28,462 billion) in the 1st half of 2021.