Rio de Janeiro – Production in the domestic grain crop should reach 185 million tonnes this year. The estimate made in the month of April, is 14.2% greater than the result obtained in 2012 (161.9 million tonnes) and 2% greater than forecasted for March (181.3 million tonnes). The figures are part of the fourth grain, leguminous plant and oleaginous plant crop estimate for 2013, in the Systematic Study of Agricultural Production (LSPA), disclosed on Thursday (9) by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
The area to be harvested in 2013 is estimated at 52.8 million hectares, 8.2% more than in 2012. The three main cultures – rice, maize and soy – which represent 92.4% of grain production, answer to 86.1% of the area to be harvested. In comparison with 2012, 0.9% growth has been estimated in the area for rice cultivation, 9.1% for maize and 10.6% for soy. Still in comparison with last year, production of rice should grow 5.1%; maize, 9.1%; and soy, 23.3%.
The National Food Supply Company (Conab) also disclosed an estimate for the grain crop. The state-owned company forecasts the harvest at 184.15 million tonnes of grain in the 2012/2013 cycle. The volume is 10.8% greater than that of the previous crop, when 166.17 million tonnes were picked. The difference between the results disclosed by the IBGE and the Conab is due to the periods evaluated. The institute analyses the crop from January to December, while the Conab considers the crop year, from August one year to July the next.
*Translated by Mark Ament
