In full rainy season, Brazil’s southern states experience severe drought impacting agribusiness

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – While states in Brazil’s north and northeast are experiencing heavy rains and floods, the southern region is in the opposite situation: a drought that has led to losses in the agricultural sector.

Paraná expected rainfall of 2,029.6 mm, but it rained only 941.2 mm last month. In Santa Catarina, the most affected regions by the drought are the far west, the west and the midwest of the state. In these locations, the average rainfall was 20, 31, and 46 millimeters, respectively. However, an average of 150 mm had been expected.

The Santa Catarina government’s main concern is the corn harvest. And a lower harvest should directly impact the meat and milk production chains. State Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Altair Silva alerted to a 50% decline in the harvest.

“We were expecting the harvest to return to normality with 2.7 million tons harvested, we are reviewing these figures and our harvest may not exceed 1.9 million tons.”

The situation prompted a request for the federal government’s help. Representatives from the Southern states, in addition to Mato Grosso do Sul, a part of whose territory is also suffering from the drought, met with a Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) official. The states seek the creation of an emergency credit for producers who have lost their source of income.

State officials also asked for the release of the Agricultural Activity Guarantee Program (PROAGRO) to assist farmers. This program eliminates the financial obligations related to rural credit operations, whose settlement is hindered by the occurrence of natural phenomena that affect herds and plantations.

Another meeting between the states and the Ministry should take place this week. In this meeting, the states expect the government to present the available measures for rural producers who have suffered losses due to the lack of rain.

A visit by Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina to the southern states is also expected.

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