Brazil set a historic record for coffee exports
Losses caused by lack of labor for harvesting reach up to 40% in tobacco, pear and apple crops. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture decided that temporary rural workers will be able to have formal employment without losing the right to governmental social assistance. “This means that temporary workers can be enrolled by their employer without losing their social plan”, according to the Ministry, which clarified that workers often did not apply for jobs for fear of losing governmental aid. (Ministry of Agriculture)
In the first week of February, yield losses caused by high temperatures, worsened by the drought in January, were estimated at 21.20 million tonnes for the two main Argentine crops: a reduction of 11.20 million tonnes for corn, and 10 million tonnes for soybeans. Estimates for soybean and corn harvests were reduced from 56 and 50 million tonnes to 44.80 and 40 million, respectively. Lower yields directly impact agro-industrial exports, which could fall to 70 million tonnes. (Pablo Adreani & Asociados)
Inflation in Argentina reached 254.2% in 12 months, one of the highest year-on-year variations in the world. In January, the indicator fell to 20.6%, down from 25.5% in December of 2023. Monthly inflation remains close to the February of 1991 record of 27%. (Indec)
Brazil’s gross public debt as a proportion of GDP reached 74.3% in December, compared to 73.8% in November of 2023. In December, the consolidated public sector recorded a primary deficit of US$ 26.16 billion. (Central Bank)
The company Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (Sugarcane Research Center) had a 23.6% growth in profit, reaching US$ 8.32 million in the 3Q of the 2023/24 season. Ebitda totaled US$ 10.48 million, with a margin of 49.6%. Net Revenue reached US$ 21.11 million. (CTC)
With an increase of 16% compared to the same period of the last season, rural credit disbursement reached US$ 54.47 billion in the 2023/24 Harvest Plan, between July/2023 and January/2024. Financing for covering operation costs [purchase of inputs, etc.] reached US$ 30.56 billion. Concessions from investment lines totaled US$ 12.47 billion. Commercialization operations reached US$ 6.64 billion and industrialization operations reached US$ 4.83 billion. (MAPA)
Brazil was granted two new authorizations from health authorities of India and Singapore for the export of agricultural products. In India, the market was opened for Brazilian assaí powder, and in Singapore, for meat and sheep meat products. (MAPA)
December of 2023 had a loss of 88 thousand jobs in agribusiness. This is driven by the end of temporary contracts, which normally occurs at the end of the year. Even so, 2023 ended with positive figures for job creation in agriculture, with 119 thousand new jobs in the sector. (National Confederation of Municipalities)
Brazil set a historic record for coffee exports in January 2024, with 3.961 million 60 kg bags, an increase of 39% compared to the same period of 2023. Arabica coffee stood out with 3.208 million bags exported, followed by conilon and robusta varieties with 457,787 bags, indicating an increase of 503.5%. Foreign exchange revenue grew by 30.4%, from US$ 615.5 million to US$ 802.5 million. (Cecafé)
Agricultural Service – SAG prohibits the transport of fresh fruits that may be hosts of the fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in the region of Cuyo and Chacalluta. “SAG has established that the host fruits can only leave in commercial batches that comply with regulatory measures within the quarantine area, and which range from the application of treatments to the inspection of the fruits to authorize departure, in addition to the tax documentation that covers the location of the product and its transport in trucks with SAG’s receipts and seals” points out Sue Vera, Regional Director of SAG in Tarapacá. (SAG)
Biobío’s Agricultural Service is performing biosecurity inspections where domestic poultry is raised. Objective is to evaluate measures adopted to prevent the entry of exotic diseases, such as Avian Influenza. “We are working on the ground throughout the region, visiting all poultry farmers to be able to indicate what is being complied with and what needs to be improved to prevent domestic or industrial birds from coming into contact with wild birds, which is where the avian influenza virus is circulating,” said Roberto Ferrada, Regional Director of SAG in Biobío. (SAG)
Agricultural and agro-industrial trade balance had a record surplus of US$ 7.57 billion, a value 35.28% higher than 2022. Exports reached US$ 51.87 billion, an increase of 3.9% when compared to 2022, while imports fell 0.07%. Minister of Agriculture, Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, highlighted that Mexican food exports surpassed the US$ 50 billion barrier for the first time. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Food manufacturer Grupo Altex and Grupo Danone promoted the Mãe Terra (Mother Land) program in Michoacán, which led to a 37% increase in income for 155 strawberry farmers in the region, through techniques to overcome effects of the lack of water. “With the program’s agro-industrial technique, soil, water and biodiversity are protected, valuing the role of farmers and the positive impact of agriculture, always taking economic viability into account”, said José Ávalos, director of the Altex Group. (Altex Group; Danone Group)
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Giménez, “it is impossible to comply with the European Union’s Regulation No. 1115/23”, which establishes restrictions on the import of products originating in deforested areas. “We know that these regulations are unilateral and arbitrary,” said Giménez. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Lezcano, it is necessary for Paraguay to find “mechanisms to demonstrate the traceability and sustainability of agricultural and forestry production”. (MRE; MAG)
Only 16% of crops in Peru are on land that is “agriculturally suitable”, according to former Minister of Agriculture Juan Benites. According to Benites, over the last 50 years, the State has granted titles or proof of ownership of rural properties indiscriminately, without adequate zoning. “This means that 84% of agriculture in Peru would be in [legal] problems because it does not meet forestry standards”, said Benites, who advocates for changes to the country’s Forestry Law. (ALAC; Instituto Crecer)
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