Overview by AgriBrasilis (04/08 - 04/14)

Brazil-China commercial transactions without use of US dollars should be fully operational in the second half of 2023. “This agreement will strengthen Brazil-China trade relations by reducing the number of foreign exchange transactions to just one commercial transaction”, said Leonardo Oliveira, director of the Bank BOCOM BBM. (BOCOM BBM)

“Agriculture fee”, suspended by minister from the Federal Court of Justice, will still be charged. Government of the State of Goiás alleges that the decision of the minister Dias Toffoli takes effect only after April, and will still charge the “Agriculture Fee” related to March. Collection refers to contribution to the State Infrastructure Fund, that collected US$ 43.05 million in the first two months of 2023. (State Secretariat for Infrastructure of Goiás)

Rural credit disbursements totaled US$ 54.23 billion during the 2022/23 Harvest Plan, between July of 2022 and March of 2023. Financing for costing reached US$ 32.44 billion. Investment contracts reached US$ 14.64 billion. Commercialization operations reached US$ 4.40 billion, and industrialization operations, US$ 2.64 billion. According to an analysis by the Agricultural Policy Secretariat, 1,473,837 contracts were carried out during nine months. (MAPA)

Netafim, specialized in drip irrigation, established a partnership with Embrapa for studies aimed at improving underground drip irrigation and fertirrigation, focused on soybean, corn and beans. (Netafim; Embrapa)

João Pedro Stédile, from the national leadership of the Landless Rural Workers Movement – MST, announced that land invasions will be carried out in “all Brazilian states” in April. In 2023, MST already carried out occupations on farms in the States of Pernambuco and Bahia. MST’s national coordinator, João Paulo Rodrigues, contradicted Stédile, ruling out the promotion of a wave of property invasions during the so-called “Red April”. (MST)

Roadworks in the State of Paraná increase the cost of the transport of grains for export. Transport operators estimate a loss of US$ 93.29 million because of fuel costs, delays and theft on the roads. Despite blockages, volume remains above what was shipped in 2022. Landslides on the highway BR-277, that occurred four months ago, still causes work to be carried out to recover the highway, generating detours and increasing travel time and fuel costs. According to the president of the Union of Road Vehicle Drivers of Paranaguá, Josiel Veiga, truck drivers traveling towards the coast face queues of up to 15 km. (Sindicap)

BrasilAgro announced the completion of the sale of Araucária Farm, located in the city of Mineiros, State of Goiás. The total amount was US$ 84.80 million, referring to 5,517 hectares, of which 4,011 are useful. (BrasilAgro)

2022/23 orange harvest in the States of São Paulo and Minas Gerais ended with an increase of 19.5% compared to 2021/22. (Fundecitrus)

Raízen’s Board of Directors approved short-term financing of up to US$ 810 million. Total amount includes financing that could be obtained by Raízen or its subsidiary Raízen Energia. (Raízen)

Pressured by the suspension of shipments to China for almost 30 days, total beef exports from Brazil (including fresh and processed products) decreased 8% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period of 2022, reaching 498,888 tonnes. (Abrafrigo)

2022/23 cherry harvest reached a new export record, with shipments reaching 415,315 tonnes, a 16.55% increase compared to the previous season. Although exports were below the projections for a 25% increase, this is the highest volume on record. “In this harvest, not only did logistics work better, but the weather also helped us to have very good quality. In addition, the release of Covid restrictions in China has allowed people to leave their homes more freely and be able to participate in activities celebrating the Chinese New Year,” said Iván Marambio, president of the Association of Exporters of Chile. (ASOEX)

Coffee harvest in the 2022/23 season was considered “exceptional”. Production was 14% higher than in the previous harvest, because of the yield of the new coffee farms and better international prices, according to Víctor Vargas, head of the Instituto do Café’s regional units. (Icafé)

Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks and the National Council of Science and Technology announced creation of a working group to strengthen detection of GMO corn in tortillas. “Joint work began to develop technical and analytical capabilities to assess risks of using and consuming GMO corn, repercussions of using GMO corn associated with glyphosate and its possible impact on human health,” said the entities, that seek to “preserve food heritage and the biocultural richness of Mexico”. (Cofepris; Conacyt)