Value of agricultural production in 2018 is R$516,6 billion

The first estimate of the gross value of agricultural production (VBP) for 2018 is R$516,6 billion, down 4,9% from the 2017 value (R$543,3 billion). Crops show a real reduction of 6,2% and livestock, 2,3%. The data was released this Friday (16) by the Agricultural Policy Secretariat (SPA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa).

According to the general coordinator of Studies and Analysis at SPA, José Garcia Gasques, part of this difference between estimates is due to the fact that last year was exceptional, having obtained the highest value since the beginning of the series of this information. In surveys carried out by Conab, very favorable climatic conditions were always highlighted in the production of the previous harvest. Another aspect is the fact that January is still almost the beginning of the year's harvest, therefore, information is still incomplete.

The best performing products are cotton, with a real increase of 15% in value, potatoes (11,1%), cocoa (44,5%), coffee (5,8%), tomatoes (36,1%) and wheat (49%). In livestock farming, beef stands out with a positive performance, after recording falling prices last year.

The group of products with a reduction in production value includes peanuts (-7,1%), rice (-16,4%), banana (-13,1%), sugar cane (-13,2% ), beans (-22,4%), oranges (-29,4), corn (-13%) and grapes (-24,8%). Among this group, sugarcane, oranges and corn had exceptional results in 2017, which are not being repeated. As these are products that have a significant share in the VBP, explains Gasques, the reduction in value affects this year's results. 

In livestock, the results for pigs, chicken, milk and eggs are also lower than in 2017. For these, lower prices in the period have contributed to a lower VBP.

Among the various products analyzed, soybeans, sugar cane, corn, cotton and coffee account for 52% of the 2018 VBP, and should generate R$267,7 billion. 

The states of Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul represent 58% of the production value, noting that this year, Mato Grosso has a higher VBP than São Paulo. Observing the results by region of the country, the leadership is now occupied by the Central West, followed by the South, Southeast, Northeast and North.