Emergency declared due to forest fires in Colombia
Soybean processing reached only 27 million tonnes in 2023, a drop of 30% compared to 2022, reflecting the decrease of about 56% in the 2022/23 soybean harvest. (Rosario Stock Exchange)
Government of Buenos Aires signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Agriculture of China – UAC regarding the genetic improvement of crops, bioinputs, mechanization of family farmers, etc. According to the dean of UAC’s College of Engineering, Song Zhenghe, the goal is to “focus on agricultural production models, production technologies and inputs for family farming”. (UAC; Government of Buenos Aires)
Brazilian demand for corn should increase in 2024, estimated at 84.367 million tonnes for the current season, an increase of 6.1% compared to 2022/23. This is due to the greater need for corn directed to animal feed, increased imports and reduced exports. Demand for animal feed will increase by 5.45%, from 52 million tonnes to 55 million. (Conab; Sinderações)
Senate is evaluating the creation of the National Storage Program to expand grain storage capacity in all regions of Brazil. Bill No. 6042/2023 seeks to institute the construction of silos in “properties bordering roads, railways or waterways, in order to facilitate the flow of agricultural production”. (Agência Senado)
92% of ethanol production comes from sugarcane farmed in new areas. Only 8% of the ethanol produced comes from replanting. “Currently, it is cheaper to expand to new areas than to intensify the replanting of existing ones. As most of the expansion of production takes place in new areas, it is essential to understand the determinants of this process in order to formulate public policies,” points out Marcelo Sant’Anna, researcher at Fundação Getúlio Vargas. (FGV)
In 2023/24, Brazil is expected to harvest 147 million tonnes of soybeans, 7.12% lower than the previous harvest, due to weather instabilities. The biggest drop is expected for the State of São Paulo, with a 23.42% decrease. (Esalq/USP)
Record swine production in the State of Santa Catarina, with 17.86 million animals slaughtered in 2023. (Epagri)
Fruit producer and exporter Unifrutti announces the acquisition of Verfrut S.A., operating in Chile and Peru. The company is expanding its operation to also cover the premium fruits market, and will operate more than 7,500 hectares of Verfrut’s agricultural and processing facilities. (Unifrutti)
Emergency declared due to forest fires. 883 of Colombia’s 1,101 municipalities are under fire alert, with 586 on “red alert”. In recent months, Colombia has faced serious forest fires due to extreme heat and droughts caused by El Niño. (UNGRD)
Papaya production grew 48.3% in the last 10 years, with production of 135 thousand tonnes and yield of 56.8 tonnes/ha in 2023. (Ministry of Agriculture; SIAP)
Fruit and vegetable exports reached US$ 14.6 billion, or 10.79 million tonnes. Avocados, red fruits, tomatoes, etc., were the main products exported. (GCMA)
Foreign exchange revenue fell by US$ 339 million, due to the 808.9 thousand tonnes decrease in corn exports in 2023, and due to low international corn prices. Foreign Trade Advisor of the Chamber of Grain and Oilseeds Exporters, Sonia Tomassone, said that “this drop was due to the fact that the corn harvest in 2022 was a record, and the same volume could not be reached in 2023.” (Capeco)
6.4 million tonnes of 2022/23 soybeans have already been exported. A total of about 9.7 million tonnes of soybean exports is estimated. (Capeco)
Malaysia’s Department of Agriculture officially opened the market for Peruvian avocados, after meeting phytosanitary requirements. Avocados from Peru can now be exported to 67 countries. More than 80% of production units certified to export to Malaysia are family farmers. (Ministry of Agriculture)
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