SC Harvest 2024/25: supply puts pressure on rice prices

The May edition of the Epagri/Cepa Agricultural Bulletin highlights a contrasting scenario for Santa Catarina's agriculture. While the production of grains such as corn, beans and soybean grew significantly, the prices of some products fell, pressured by the increase in supply on the national and international markets.

Rice had a record harvest, with an average productivity of 8,73 t/ha, but ended April with a 30% drop in price compared to 2024. Exports also fell 44% in the year. In beans, total production is expected to grow 14%, driven by the first harvest, although black beans — the main type grown in the state — saw a 15% drop in price. Carioca beans, on the other hand, appreciated 5%.

Corn production grew by more than 25% despite the reduction in planted area, reaching a historic productivity of 9,8 t/ha. This performance resulted in freight savings for the pork and poultry chains, despite the almost 5% drop in prices in May. Soybean productivity also increased, estimated at 4.035 kg/ha, with a 19,5% increase in production, but prices remain unstable.

Among vegetables, garlic maintained stable prices and profitability for producers, even with a high volume of imports. Onions, on the other hand, continue to have prices below the cost of production, putting pressure on farmers' income.