Overview by AgriBrasilis (January 02nd - 08th)

Decree 911/21 reserves beef cuts preferred by Argentines to the domestic market, prohibiting their exports until December 31, 2023. It was also determined that beef intended for retail trade must leave refrigerators in units of up to 32 kg, in response to the request of the syndicates in the sector. (Ministry of Agriculture)

Third alert issued for control of Lobesia botrana, pest that damages grapes, also known as European vine bunch moth, in the province of San Juan. It is recommended to apply phytosanitary products when the plant presents visible flower bunches (5 to 7 cm) to control eggs and larvae from the first flight of the adult insects. (National Health and Agrifood Quality Service of Argentina)

Cherry Imports from Chile decrease. Cherry imports from Chile reached 19.9 tons in 2021/2022 season, while 187.6 tons of cherry were imported in 2020/2021 season. Argentina’s harvest is around 6,500 tons annually. (National Health Service and Agrifood Quality of Argentina)

 

Embrapa Agroenergia, Brasília, developed two genetically manipulated (non-transgenic) sugarcane varieties. Variety  Cane Flex I has greater cell wall digestibility, while Cane Flex II has higher concentration of sucrose, both facilitating industrial processes for production of sugar and ethanol. Cultivation is still allowed only on experimental farms. (Embrapa Agroenergia)

Grupo Bom Futuro, second largest soybean grower in the world, announces sales of fish directly to consumers. Currently the company processes 100 tons of fish per month, and were announced plans to double production by June 2022 (Grupo Bom Futuro)

Arabica coffee harvest in São Paulo was less than expected, because of drought and frosts during 2021, in an amount of 4 million bags of processed coffee, a decrease of 35.2% compared to the last season. (Brazilian Association of Coffee Industries)

Exports of frozen, refrigerated and fresh beef reached 126.9 thousand tons in December 2021, representing an increase of 56.47% compared to exports in November. Increase is justified by the resumption of exports to China. (Foreign Trade Department)

Southern States ask for assistance from the Federal Government in face of the impacts of the lack of rain. Agriculture secretariats of Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul are requesting the creation of emergency credit for affected farmers, in addition to renegotiation of debts and greater flexibility in the payment of agricultural insurance. (Ministry of Agriculture)

Wheat prices remain high even with a harvest record. High exchange rate, import costs and international market price increase are main reasons that keep prices at high levels. In November, in the State of Paraná, the 60 kg bag (Type 1, category PH 78), was quoted at US$ 15.67; in turn, in Rio Grande do Sul, the bag reached US$ 14.64. Current estimative is 7.8 million tons harvest, indicating an increase of 25.3% compared to   past season. (National Supply Company)

Maria de Lourdes Fustaino, current Director of Regulatory Latin America at FMC, takes over as Director of Sustainability and Industry Relations for Latin America. (FMC)



Collaborative research group between the Universidad Mayor and INIA La Platina, studies molecules that can be applied externally to help plants adapt to sudden climate changes, characterized by drought and rising temperatures. (INIA La Platinum)

45.2 thousand tons of wheat were imported from the United States in the last week of December 2021. (USDA)

Authorized imports of meat and bone meal and beef tallow from Brazil. (Secretariat of Commerce and International Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil)

 

800 thousand tons of processed rice shall be imported between October 2021 and September 2022, while domestic demand is estimated at 970 thousand tons. (USDA)



 

Agricultural machinery imports recorded 90% increase in November 2021, when compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling US$ 84.8 million (Directorate of Integration of Paraguay)

2.179 million cows were slaughtered in 2021, which is a growth of 15.2% compared to the previous year. Between January and December 2021, 326,000 tons of beef were exported to 47 different markets, totaling US$ 1.59 billion. Average export price was around US$ 4,890 per ton. (National Quality and Animal Health Service)

Customs Tables for importing products included in the Price Band System were updated, “which is a technical commercial mechanism for the defense of farmers against distortions in international markets”, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Victor Maita . One of the most important changes is the increase in the tariff ceiling from 20 to 40% for rice, corn, sugar and dairy products, with the purpose of defending local production.   (Ministry of Agriculture)

Beef export record in 2021. In the first ten months of the year, the sector made around US$ 2.3 billion, 53% more than in the same period in 2020, having exported 530 thousand tons (Instituto Nacional da Carne)