Conab survey shows production growth of 3.8%, expectation was for 6% higher volume
With the peanut harvest reaching its final phase in São Paulo, the largest producing state in Brazil, with around 90% of total production, farmers who invest in the crop are frustrated. The lack of rain affected crop productivity, reducing the volume of the oilseed harvest.
The National Supply Company (Conab) released new projections for the 2023/24 harvest, which corroborate the perception of producers who spoke to Globo Rural in Itajubá (SP). In this cycle, although the volume could reach 3.8% more than the previous cycle (the equivalent of 927 thousand tons), the feeling is one of frustration, given what was expected.
At the time of planting, when a 15% larger area was sown, the expectation was to reach a volume up to 6% higher than 22/23 (according to previous projections released by Conab).
The problem is the lack of rain that persists in the main producing region, which includes Tupã, Marília, Jaboticabal, Assis and Bariri, among other municipalities. Even those who opted for a longer production cycle are not able to count on the necessary rain. Productivity, which in 22/23 was 4.04t/ha, should be around 3.64t/ha this year.
“The damage can be both quantitative, as is now expected, and qualitative, for which there is still hope”, says Airton Luiz Bonati, producer from Bariri.
For four years, he has been cultivating four hectares. According to Bonati, 2023 was the best year for peanuts. “We would like to continue growing in productivity, with the correct choice of seeds and appropriate management, but without rain it will not be possible,” he says.
Production is limited and exports continue to rise
Even if production falls short of expectations, the peanut market should remain strong, with high prices, following analysis by the Institute of Agricultural Economics of the State of São Paulo.
“Year after year, Brazil has been increasing its share in the international market for fresh peanuts, oil and bran, and the tendency is to continue gaining space, as global imports of the product are growing at around 3% per year. This is where Brazil has the opportunity to expand its operations”, Renata Martins Sampaio, a researcher at the IEA, told Globo Rural.
According to Conab, in the state of São Paulo, the country's main peanut producer, with 210 thousand hectares planted, the positive scenario has even attracted farmers who invest in the crop as a first option, and no longer as an alternative such as rotation to sugarcane.
Data released by the IEA highlights that in 2023 Brazil continued to grow in the international peanut sector. When compared to 2022, it increased by 4.28% in exported volume and 33.40% in values. There were 297 thousand tons of peanut grains exported, which totaled US$ 443 million.
The main destinations for peanut kernels were concentrated in three countries: Russia (28.31%), Algeria (23.59%) and the Netherlands (9.56%). “In addition to these three, which together account for 61% of exports, another 87 countries received fresh Brazilian peanuts and may have their volume increased in the short term. The doors are open and the fundamental thing is that Brazil has volume to offer”, says Renata”.
Today, exported production originates mainly in the cities of Tupã (27.38%), Borborema (16.85%) and Parapuã (8.57%).
Comments