Conab estimates a grain harvest of 3,9 million tons in Maranhão.
The production of 3,933 million tons of soybeans, corn, rice, beans, and cotton represents a 10,1% increase compared to the previous harvest, when 3,572 million tons were harvested; the state has once again become the third largest national producer of rice, behind Paraná and Santa Catarina.
MARANHÃO 247 – An assessment by the National Supply Company (Conab) estimates that Maranhão will harvest a record volume of 3,933 million tons of grains. This represents an increase of 360,6 tons compared to the previous harvest.
The production of 3,933 million tons of soybeans, corn, rice, beans, and cotton represents a 10,1% increase compared to the previous harvest, when 3,572 million tons were harvested.
The increase in production, of approximately 4 million tons, is a result of a 9,2% increase in productivity, estimated at 2.414 kg/hectare, and also a 0,8% increase in planted area, which reached 1,629 million hectares in the current harvest.
According to data from Conab, approximately 85% of Maranhão's grain production is concentrated in soybean and corn crops. Together, these two crops account for 3,330 million tons.
In the 2013/2014 harvest, soybean production in the state is expected to reach 1,878 million tons, a volume that represents a 7,5% increase compared to the previous harvest, when 1,685 million tons were harvested.
The planted area of soybeans in Maranhão increased from 586 hectares to 608,3 hectares. Another increase was seen in productivity, reaching 2.980 kg/hectare, a rise of 3,6%.
Corn production has expanded in the state in recent years. The current harvest is projected to yield 1,452 million tons, an increase of 10,9% or 143,000 tons more. The planted area grew by 3,2%, from 5,067,000 hectares to 522,900 hectares. Productivity also increased to 2.980 kg/hectare (a 7,5% increase).
Rice Although the planted area decreased by 6,5%, rice production in Maranhão recovered, and the state returned to being the third largest national producer, behind only Paraná and Santa Catarina.
In the current harvest, Conab estimates that Maranhão will harvest 583,7 tons, an increase of 17,8% compared to the previous harvest. This is due to productivity, which reached 1.500 kg/hectare, an increase of 25,9%.
Cottonseed is also expected to perform well this season, according to a survey by Conab. The grain harvest should reach 73,8 tons, an increase of 11,3%, practically the same percentage increase in planted area.
Beans are the only crop expected to see a decline. The harvest is estimated at 39,4 tons, 4,8% less than the 41,4 tons produced in the 2013/2013 season.