Grain harvest in Paraná expected to reach new record

Paraná is expected to harvest 46,3 million tons of grain by the end of the 2024/2025 harvest, a record for the state. The Department of Rural Economy (Deral) of the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply reported that this figure is still dependent on the completion of the winter crop harvest. The Department's forecast is well above the 22/24 grain harvest (38,48 million tons) and surpasses the record for the 23/23 harvest (45,48 million tons). These figures are included in this week's Deral Harvest Bulletin.

According to Deral, Paraná harvested 21 million tons of soybeans in the last cycle. Record production of corn (20,4 million tons) and beans (841 tons) also contributed to this harvest's historic high. The state also harvested 136 tons of rice and 44,9 tons of coffee in the 24/25 harvest.

Added to these figures is the ongoing production of winter crops. So far, producers have only harvested 41% of the wheat area, with an average yield of 3.258 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha), compared to 2.139 in the previous harvest. Productivity also increased in barley crops. In the previous harvest, yield reached 3.841 kg/ha and this year it increased to 4.333 kg/ha, representing a significant leap for the state's production.

"The recent rains helped achieve these yields, even though they were accompanied by strong winds that ended up causing lodging in some crops," said Hugo Godinho, head of the Deral's Economic Situation Division. Paraná is expected to harvest 449 tons of barley from the 103 hectares cultivated. This area is significantly larger than the 82.2 hectares of the previous harvest. The harvest only reached 12% of the cultivated area, but technicians say that if favorable conditions persist, a record harvest is assured.

Marcio Nunes, State Secretary of Agriculture and Supply, emphasized that the result reinforces Paraná's position as a global leader in sustainable production. "It couldn't be any different: Paraná is the world's sustainable supermarket, the state that produces the most per square meter and exports sustainability and quality. This record harvest demonstrates the strength of our farmers, the efficiency of our agriculture, and Paraná's commitment to always growing while respecting the environment," he stated.

25/26 – And the forecasts remain positive. The 25/26 summer harvest is just beginning. The same rainfall that favored the winter harvest was sufficient to moisten the soil, and planting work is expected to intensify in the coming days. Until the beginning of this week, the crops showing the best planting progress were corn (64%), potatoes (60%), and first-crop beans (28%), which are more concentrated in the south of the state.

The state is initially expected to produce 25,7 million tons in the upcoming summer harvest. Soybeans are the main crop, with an estimated production of 21,9 million tons. "Soybeans accounted for 13% of the planted area, and since planting began in a region experiencing a water deficit, work should now pick up pace. Furthermore, the soybean health gap only allows for later planting in some regions," explained Edmar Gervásio of Deral.

Nationally, Paraná remains Brazil's second-largest grain producer, with a 13,3% market share, behind only Mato Grosso (32,4%). According to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), Paraná's production estimate grew by 317.500 tons last month, the second-largest increase in Brazil.