Rice harvest reaches 44,3% of planted area in Brazil

The rice harvest in Brazil has reached 44,3% of the planted area, with emphasis on the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where favorable weather conditions have allowed the operation to advance quickly. Data was presented by the National Supply Company (Conab) in its Weekly Monitoring of Crop Conditions this week. 

The number of areas with lodging rice plants is relatively lower this season, allowing for faster harvesting without the need to slow down the machines. However, grain quality remains heterogeneous, with some areas showing whole grain yields below 50%, while others exceed 60%. Temperature fluctuations and intermittent irrigation have been the main causes of these quality variations. 

In Santa Catarina, the drier climate and high temperatures favored the harvest, which is concentrated in the south of the state. Although productivity varies from area to area, it remains high. In Tocantins, some crops are still in vegetative development, due to planting carried out in February, after the soybean harvest. In Mato Grosso, the rice harvest is beginning to advance, and in Goiás, the operation has already begun in irrigated areas, with good productivity.

Bean

The first crop of beans is also performing well. The harvest has already reached 1% of the planted area. 

In Minas Gerais, despite recent rains, the harvest was completed with good quality grains. In Bahia, the process is ongoing, with a faster pace in the West, although some areas of the Center-North and Center-South are showing some delay due to the lack of rain and the need for replanting. 

Santa Catarina recorded favorable weather, with little rain and higher temperatures, which facilitated maturation and harvesting, although it harmed later crops, still in the grain filling phase. In Rio Grande do Sul, the black bean harvest is almost complete, while colored bean crops in the Upper Plateau are still in the filling and maturation phase.

In the second bean harvest, Minas Gerais experienced the return of rain, which benefited the progress of planting, especially in the south of the state. In the Triângulo Mineiro region, irregular weather conditions have limited the progress of recently planted areas. 

In Bahia, cowpea planting has been completed and crops are progressing well, with better conditions in the western areas. In Paraná, planting has also been completed and crops are developing well, although high temperatures have reduced the production potential of some areas, even with the scattered rains last week.

Agrometeorological Forecast

The weather forecast provides good prospects for the progress of the harvest and the development of crops, especially in the North, Northeast and Southeast regions. However, some areas, such as the North-Central and South-Central regions of Bahia, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, still face challenges related to the lack of rain or excessive heat, which may impact the productivity of some crops.