Grain harvest should close 2019 with an increase of 4,2%, estimates IBGE

The production of cereals, legumes and oilseeds is expected to close 2019 at 236 million tons. The estimate is from the Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production (LSPA), carried out in June and released today (11), in Rio de Janeiro, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

The June estimate predicts a harvest 4,2% larger than that obtained in 2018, that is, an increase of 9,5 million tons in production. In relation to the estimate made in May this year, there was a growth of 0,6%, that is, 1,3 million tons more than predicted for that month.

The estimated area to be harvested is 62,8 million hectares, 3% greater than in 2018 and 0,3% greater than forecast in May.

Of the three main grain crops, only corn is expected to see production growth this year compared to 2018 (17,1%). For soybeans, a drop of 4,5% is expected. As for rice, there should be a reduction of 11,2%.

Among the other crops with expected production of more than one million tons, beans (1,7%), cotton (31,5%), sorghum (11,2%) and wheat should close the year with an increase. (14,5%).

Other products

The survey also covers the production of other important agricultural products, in addition to cereals, legumes and oilseeds.

Sugarcane, for example, the main Brazilian crop, is expected to close the year with a production of 665 million tons, or 1,4% less than in 2018. 

Coffee (-12,2%), oranges (-1,2%), tomatoes (-5,3%) and grapes (-10,8%) are also expected to see a drop in production. And bananas (3%), potatoes (1%) and cassava (4,2%) should increase.