In 2018, the Gross Value of Agricultural Production (VBP) estimated up to July reaches R $ 563.5 billion, 2.2% less than in the year 2017 (R $ 575.9 billion), according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture , Livestock and Supply (MPLS). The crops had a reduction of 0.6% and livestock production of 5.3%, compared to last year.
The best products were cotton (43.2%), cocoa (28.6%), coffee (8.5%), soybean (9.8%), tomato (17.2%) and wheat (62.3%). These six products represent 37.6% of the VBP. Cotton and soybeans show record highs in the series analyzed since 1990. Both are benefited by higher prices than in 2017 and production records.
According to José Garcia Gasques, general coordinator of Studies and Analysis of the Secretariat of Agricultural Policy of the MPLS, this makes leading states in these products, such as Mato Grosso and Bahia, show exceptional results this year.
One product group shows unfavorable results compared to last year. These include rice, with a real decrease of 20.8%, sugarcane (-7.3%), beans (-29.1%), orange (-19.6%), cassava (-15.8%), and corn (-9.4%). All of these had a sharp reduction in prices and quantities produced.
As the summer harvest represents almost the entire production of grains and is already finished according to Conab, few changes should still exist during this year, explains the general coordinator of the MPLS. In livestock, all items are lower than in 2017.
Real prices are lower than last year, especially in pigs (-19.2%), chicken (-6.3%), milk (-5.2%) and eggs (-11.5% ). Lower international prices and reduction of domestic consumption are pointed out by Gasques as main factors that are affecting the behavior of this segment.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.