With 350,000 rural properties, and occupying an area of just 2.3% of the country territory, the state of Paraná, answers to 23% of Brazilian grain production.
It is the main producer of maize, wheat and beans, and the second of soy. Last year, the state harvested 26 million tons of grain, and the forecast for the 2004/05 crop is 30 million tons.
These values are included in the estimates for Paraná state 2004/05 harvest, announced yesterday (03) by the state Agriculture secretariat.
The bean harvest, the first, is currently under way, with little over 15% of the cropland having been harvested. The situation of the crop is considered good in approximately 58% of the cropland, despite the intensive rains in recent weeks.
There are still 66,000 hectares to be harvested. In the mean time, the second bean harvest is already being sown, and should reach 127,000 hectares.
Maize is also being harvested in the state of Paraná, and the crops are considered good in 84% of the area. With regard to the harvest, the forecast of 1,255,505 hectares sowed was maintained.
The area is 7% greater than the previous harvest and it is estimated that 7 million tons of grain, not counting the second maize harvest, which is normally sown in the winter, and which should generate over 6 million tons, elevating the crop result to 13 million tons. The state of Paraná forecasts production of 22% of the Brazilian maize harvest.
Around 85% of the state soy crop is in the flowering and fruiting phase, but in some cities, the harvest has already begun. The plants are in good conditions in 90% of the area, and the forecast for the state of Paraná harvest in 2004/05 is 12.48 million tons, i.e., 23% more than in the previous harvest. The sowing of 4,086,797 hectares of soy in the state, 3.7% more than last year, has been confirmed.
16% of Trade Balance
Last year, total state exports reached US$ 9.4 billion, a growth of 31.4% when compared to the previous year. Imports rose 15.50%, totaling US$ 4.026 billion, which generated a surplus of US$ 5.374 billion, 46.44% greater than the 2003 result.
According to the Paraná State News Agency, the trade balance surplus represented 16% of the country surplus.
One of the highlights was expansion of trade with China, the second largest buyer of products exported from Paraná. In 2004, exports to the Chinese reached US$ 1.114 billion. In the first place came sales to the United States (US$ 1.252 billion).
In 2004 the state of Paraná purchased less ready-made products and more industrial inputs, fuels, capital goods and transport equipment for industrial use.
Imports of industrial inputs rose 39%, reaching US$ 1.54 billion. Purchase of capital goods rose from US$ 785 million in 2003 to US$ 995 million last year.
Translated by Mark Ament
Agência Brasil