West and Southwest have the potential for another 447 thousand hectares for wheat cultivation

West and Southeast are two of the regions that produce the most wheat in Paraná, the second largest producer of the crop in Brazil. But these regions have the potential for much more, improving the income of rural properties and adding a considerable amount of resources to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is one of the opportunities that the Coopavel Winter Rural Show wants to show visitors in the fourth edition scheduled for the period from August 22nd to 24th, in Cascavel, in the west of Paraná.

The two regions currently allocate 434,4 thousand hectares to wheat, of which 205 thousand are in the West and 229 thousand in the Southwest. However, they have the potential to more than double this area, much of it in the municipalities of the Southwest. There are 447,6 thousand hectares which, in the months of low temperatures, are partly allocated to oats and other winter crops. A considerable portion of this total remains fallow – without any cultivation. The average productivity in this region is 3,8 thousand kilos per hectare, higher than that of Paraná, of 3,2 thousand, and that of Brazil, of 2,9 thousand.

The annual production of wheat in the West and Southwest of Paraná is 1,41 million tons. Considering the value of a 60-kilo bag at R$70, the figure achieved with the crop, in these regions, reaches R$1,64 billion. With the possibility of more than doubling the area planted with grain, the value added to the GDP of both would be R$1,65 billion. Added together, the current and potential area for wheat cultivation would reach 882 thousand hectares, with a result, considering today's values, of R$ 3,29 billion.

“One of the functions of the Rural Winter Show, the largest technical wheat event in Brazil, is to show rural producers the benefits of investing in this crop today. A lot has changed in the last ten years, with heavy investments by research companies, mainly in varieties with higher productivity and more adapted to the climate of each region”, highlights the president of Coopavel, Dilvo Grolli. During the three days of the fourth edition, in August, rural producers will be able to learn about new developments that make wheat not a gamble, but a profitable investment.

Around 20 varieties of wheat will be shown in the winter edition and at least ten of them have potential productivity of around 6 thousand kilos per hectare, more than double the national average. In the West, the average already reaches 4 thousand kilos, similar to that of large grain producers in the world. “With the right care and the correct choice of variety, it is possible to achieve very interesting numbers, making wheat a great opportunity for profitability for rural properties”, comments the general coordinator of the Show Rural Coopavel, Rogério Rizzardi.

New technologies have changed the prospects for wheat in Brazil. Until four or five years ago, practically half of what the country consumed was imported. With the current harvest expected to reach 10 million tons and consumption estimated at 12,5 million, it will still be necessary to bring in 2,5 million tons from abroad. With events such as the Winter Edition Rural Show and with incentives for culture, as Coopavel has done, in a short time the country will reach self-sufficiency and in a few years it will be able to become an exporter, causing wheat to also disappear in favor of the balance. Brazilian commercial.

The event

The Rural Coopavel Winter Show will open its gates to visitors, daily, at 8:30 am. They will learn about news from 20 research companies linked to wheat and agribusiness. The event will welcome caravans from across the cooperative's operating area, currently established in 24 municipalities in the West and Southwest of Paraná. Anyone interested in learning more about wheat and winter crops will be welcome at the three-day technology exhibition. Access to the park and parking will be free.