Brazil’s agriculture and livestock sector grew 1.1% in the second quarter of this year, in comparison with the first quarter.
This was lower than the 1.7% increase registered in the first quarter of 2005 in relation to the final quarter of 2004.
These figures were released Wednesday, August 31, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). When the first quarter of this year is compared with the same period last year, growth in the sector amounted to 2.9%.
According to Cláudia Dionísio, an economist in the IBGE’s National Accounts Section, although the rate was lower, growth still occurred, mainly in consequence of sales of soybeans (3.3%), beans (4.35%), and manioc (12.8%).
The economist explained that the increase in soybean production is the result of it’s being the harvest season, and, even though the rate of growth was smaller than for the other two products, the impact on the agricultural sector was greater, due to the sales volume.
ABr