Deral estimates that only 7% of the total area has already been sown
The soy planting period has already started, but the lack of rain is hindering its start in most of Paraná. According to Marcelo Garrido, an economist from the Department of Rural Economy (Departamento de Economia Rural – Deral) from the State Secretary of Agriculture and Food Supply (Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura e Abastecimento – Seab), until September 28 only 7% (400 thousand hectares) of the estimated planting area in the state were sown. “In the same period last year, approximately 3% of the area had been sown (154 thousand hectares). It is important to emphasize that in 2020 Paraná was also affected by drought that harmed the plantation at the beginning of the cycle”, he explains. Paraná has an estimated 21 million tons of soy to be produced during this season.
According to Garrido, there is no reason for concerns regarding the delay in planting, yet. “The producers in Paraná closely monitor the weather conditions, since last year they had already been affected by the drought. But it is still very early to estimate any kind of reflex regarding the production of the maze winter crop, since we are still in the initial days of sowing”, he states. The perspective is that the La Ninã phenomenon, with a moderate intensity, will influence the Brazilian spring and summer. To the Southern Region, it brings characteristics such as the reduction and irregularity of rainfall. “If it happens with a greater intensity, we may see some impact on the productivity of the summer crops”, he says.
According to him, the cycle is just beginning, and it is not time to be worried, yet. “The Agriculture Secretariat is closely monitoring the situation. If necessary, SEAB will contact the other entities that monitor the industry and study the appropriate measures to assist the producers”, he declares.
Paraná Wood Agrícola has not started planting. According to manager Douglas Mendes, the company chose to wait for the rain to not have subsequent issues. “For now, we are only testing and regulating our machinery. We shall only start [planting] after the next rain”, he says. For this season, the company will have a total area of 871 own hectares, which is 16.67% more than the previous season.