The May estimate for the national harvest of cereals, legumes and oilseeds for 2020 recorded a decrease against the previous estimate (April 2019), but remained at a record level in the IBGE time series, having reached  245.9 million metric tons. In comparison with the harvest of 2019 (241.5 million metric tons), the current estimate is 1.8% bigger (4.4 million metric tons more); against the previous month, it is 0.5% smaller (a reduction by 1.1 million metric tons).

The area to be harvested amounted to 64.6 million hectares, with an increase of 2.1% (1.4 million hectares) against the area harvested in 2019. In comparison with the previous month, the recorded increase was 96.2 thousand hectares (0.1%).

Rice, corn and soybeans, the three main products in the group, amount to 92.2% of the output estimate and 87.3% of the area to be harvested. Against 2019, there were increases in the area by product: 1.7% for corn (4.7% in the first crop and 0.5% in the second) and 2.9% for soybeans. Th area to be harvested recorded increases for rice (2.0%) and upland cotton (0.2%). In terms of estimated output, figures are 5.2% for soybeans, 5.3% for rice and 0.1% for upland cotton, and a decrease of 3.8% for corn (2.2% more in the first crop and 5.9% less, in the second). 

For soybeans, the estimated was 119,4 million metric tons; for corn, 96,7 million metric tons (26,6 million metric tons in the 1st crop and 70,2 million metric tons in the 2^nd crop); for rice, 10,8 million metric tons and for cotton, 69 million metric tons.

Against the previous month, there were increases in the output estimates of cashew nuts (16.1% or 20,9 thousand metric tons), wheat (10.1% or 628,0 thousand metric tons), oats (4.3% or 42,1 thousand metric tons), beans – 1st crop (4.2% or 56,7 thousand metric tons), barley (3.6% or 15,0 thousand metric tons), upland cotton (2.2% or 146,4 thousand metric tons), rice (1.7% or 181,3 thousand metric tons), coffea arabica (0.5% or 12,3 thousand metric metric tons),and decreases in the output estimates of beans – 2^nd crop (6.4% or 73,7 thousand metric tons), coffea canephora (3.9% or 36,4 thousand metric tons), potato – 3^rd crop (3.0% or 28.4 thousand metric tons), potato – 2^nd crop (2.0% or 23,0 thousand metric tons), potato – 1^st crop (1.8% or 30,9 thousand metric tons), soybeans (1.4% or 1,7 thousand metric tons), 2nd crop corn (0.6% or 398,5 thousand metric tons) and corn – 1st crop (0.0% or 3,8 thousand metric tons).

Mato Grosso is the leader as the biggest national producer of grains, with a participation of 28.6%, followed by Paraná (16.4%), Rio Grande do Sul (10.8%), Goiás (10.3%), Mato Grosso do Sul (8.0%) and Minas Gerais (6.1%), which, together, represent 80.2% of the national overall. The positive changes in the output estimates were those of Mato Grosso (1,3 thousand metric tons), Minas Gerais (334,5 thousand metric tons), Ceará (291,2 thousand metric tons), Bahia (199,4 thousand metric tons), Rio Grande do Norte (11,7 thousand metric tons) and Amapá (3,5 thousand metric tons). The negative changes occurred in Rio Grande do Sul (1,8 thousand metric tons), Paraná  (972,8 thousand metric tons less), Goiás (283,5 thousand metric tons less), Mato Grosso do Sul (245,3 thousand metric tons less), Pernambuco (26,6 thousand metric tons), Paraíba (15,3 thousand metric tons), Alagoas (586 metric tons), Acre (387 metric tons), no Espírito Santo (248 metric tons) and Rio de Janeiro (42 metric tons).

Among the areas, the Central West has 47.2% (116,0 million metric tons); the South, 29.8% (73,4 million metric tons); the Southeast, 9.9% (24,4 million metric tons); the Northeast, 8.8% (21,5 million metric tons) and the North, 4.3% (10,5 million metric tons). Increase in output was registered in the: Central West (4.0%), North (7.0%), Northeast (12.2%) and Southeast (2.9%). the South was the only Major Region recordind a decrease (4.9%).

Highlights in the May 2020 estimate 

UPLAND COTTON (seed) – The output estimate of 6,9 million metric tons was 2.2% above the previous one. Mato Grosso, which is responsible for 69.0% of the national output, increased its production estimate by 3.0%, pushed by the bigger output of crops, which grew 4.3% in May. There was a reevaluation of the area planted in May. Mato Grosso do Sul (-6.3%), Mato Grosso (-1.3%) and Goiás (-3,7%) had their estimates reduced due to the delay in the sowing and harvesting of soybeans, due to the harsh climate conditions at the time of planting and the giving up of some producers. 

In the Northeast Region, the main reevaluations were observed in Bahia  (1.4%), Paraíba (83.8%) and Alagoas (248.8%). It is worth mentioning that Bahia is the 2nd main producer in the country, responsible for 20.4% of the national output is the 2^nd biggest in the country, responsible for 20.4% of the national output, and its crops were also benefited by the climate.

PADDY RICE – The production of 10.8 million metric tons records an increase of 1.7% in comparison with April, due to the reevaluation in the average yield, which reached 6,5 thousand kg/ha. The South Region, which concentrates about 83.0% of the national output, had an increment of 2.6%, due to an increase of 2.4% in the yield of that crop.

Against the previous year, the output of rice against the previous year increased by 5.3%, although the planted area decreased by 2.8%. The average yield was 7.4% bigger. 

POTATO – The estimated output, 3,7 million metric tons, represents a decline of 2.2% against the previous month. Goiás had a negative performance, a decrease of 23.2% in relation to the estimate in the previous year, as well as Rio Grande do Sul, with a decrease of 10.1% in the estimate. Against 2019, the total estimated output of potato recorded a decrease of 4.3%. As major contributions to that result we can mention the figures in Rio Grande do Sul (-19.9%), Santa Catarina (-9.9%) and Goiás (-29.6%).

The first crop, with a production of 1.6 million metric tons, recorded a decrease of 1.8% against the previous month. The average yield was 1.7% smaller.The result was influenced by the reduction of 9.2% in the estimate of Rio Grande do Sul. Against the previous year, there was a decrease by 3.0% and the negative highlights for that crop were: Santa Catarina (-11.9%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-19.8%).

For the 2nd crop, the estimated production is 1,1 million metric tons, with a decline of 2.0% against the previous month. Paraná (-4.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-14.8%) contributed most to that result, due to a prolonged drought. Against the previous year, the estimate if 5.5% smaller, being Minas Gerais (-11.3%), Paraná (-3.8%) and Rio Grande o Sul (-20.5%) responsible for that decline. In São Paulo there was an increase of estimate (5.0%).

In terms of the 3rd crop, the output estimate was 914,1 thousand metric tons, 3.0% below that in the previous month and 4.8% below that in 2019. Goiás, with a reduction by 23.2%, against April, and 29.6%, against 2019, was the negative highlight in that estimate, and Minas Gerais, with increases of 7.1% against the previous month and 15.6% versus the previous harvest, was the positive highlight. 

COFFEE (bean) – The estimated coffee output in Brazil was 3,4 million metric tons, or 57,3 million 60 kg sacks, a decline of 0.7% against the previous month. Versus the previous year, the estimate was 14.7% bigger.

For coffea arabica, the estimated output was 2 550,1 thousand metric tons or 42,5 million 60 k-sacks, an increase of 0.5% against the previous year (due the biannual nature of that crop). In Minas Gerais, the main Brazilian producer, expected to account for 74.1% da prodof the output in 2020, the estimated output, 1.9 million metric tons, or 31,5 million 60 kg-sacks, records an increase of 27.4%, and the average yield is expected to increase by 19.6% against the previous year. 

For coffea canephora, commonly known as conillon, the estimated output, of 885,6 thousand metric tons, or 14,8 million 60 kg-sacks, presents a decline of 3.9% against April and 4.0% against 2019. The output of Espírito Santo, 67.4% of the national overall, is 5.7% smaller as a result of the decline of 6.0% in the average yield. Other important producers, such as Rondônia and Bahia, kept the same output figures as in April.

CASHEW NUTS – With an increase of 16.1% against the estimate in the previous month, the output is expected to be of 151,2 thousand metric tons, being 8.5% above the output in 2019. The biggest Brazilian producers are Ceará, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte. The output of  Ceará, of 95,4 thousand metric tons, represents 63.1% of the national overall; that of Piauí, 24,7 thousand metric tons, 16.3% and that of Rio Grande do Norte, 17,2 thousand metric tons, 11.4%. In comparison with 2019, there were estimated increases of 8.8% in Ceará; of 14.3% for Piauí and of 1.8% for Rio Grande do Norte.  

WINTER CROPS (grain) – The main winter crops produced in Brazi are wheat, white oat and barley. The estimated output for wheat is 6.9 million metric tons, with an increase of 10.1% against the previous month. Versus the previous year, the estimate is 31.4% bigger.

The South Region is expected to account for, in 2020, 89.4% of the national triticale output. In Paraná, the main producer of that cereal, with a participation of 51.5% in the national output, production was estimated at 3,5 million metric tons, with increases of 1.1% against the previous month and of 65.9% against the output of 2019. Rio Grande do Sul, the second biggest producer (35.7% of the national output), must produce 2,5 million metric tons, with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year and, Santa Catarina, 155,1 thousand metric tons, with an increase of 5.5%.  

The estimated output for oat was of 1,0 million metric tons, 4.3% more in compariosn with the previous month. The biggest producers of that cereal were Rio Grande do Sul, with 699,3 thousand metric tons and Paraná, with 216,8 thousand metric tons. In May, the output in the state was revised and registereof 10.5% versus April and of 11.2% against 2019.  

For barley, the estimated output  is at 33,6 thousand metric tons, an increase of 3.6% against the previous month. The biggest producers of that cereal were Paraná, with 299,3 thousand metric tons, and Rio Grande do Sul, with 119,3 thousand metric tons. Against the previous year, the Brazilian production of barley must present an increase of 8.3%. 

BEAN (seed) – The estimated output was 3.0 million metric tons, an increase of 0.6% in relation to the previous month. In this survey, the biggest producers, considering the three crops, are Paraná, with 19.9%, Minas Gerais, with 16.9% and Goiás with 11.3% of participation in the national output. As for the annual change, the estimates for planted area and for production were reduced by 3.6% and 1.3%, respectively. The average yield increased 1.9%.

Bean - 1st crop is expected to account for 47.,2% of the national output, whereas the 2nd crop, with 36.2% and the 3rd crop, with 16.6%. Beans - 1st crop was estimated at 1,4 million metric tons, 4.2% above the April estimate, totaling 56 698 metric tons. The positive highlights were Ceará (with an increase of 38.4% in output), Rio Grande do Norte (22.9%), Pernambuco (65.0%) and Minas Gerais (2.9%). the negative highlights were Paraíba (-12.4%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-6.7%). Against the previous year, there were increases of 10.2% in output, of 8.3% in average yield and of 1.2% in planted area. 

The 2nd crop was estimated at 1,1 million metric tons, with a decrease of 6.4% against the April estimate, resulting in average yield 3.9% smaller and of 6,9% against 2019. Due to a prolonged drought, Paraná reported a decline of 19.0% in its reduced by 63.5 thousand metric tons, as well as  Rio Grande do Sul (-17.0%) and Pernambuco (-81.1%). The biggest output estimates, for this crop, were those of Paraná (24.9%), Bahia (17.0%) and Minas Gerais (16.1%).

As for the 3rd crop, the output estimate was 498,0 thousand metric tons, an increase of 7.3% against April, and a reduction by 15.4% against 2019. A highlight was Mato Grosso, expecting increases of 34.0% for the output estimate and of 27.8% for planted area. 

CORN (grain) – The output estimate fell 0.4%, amounting to 96,7 million metric tons, against the latest estimate and by 3.8% (3,9 million metric tons) against 2019. The first crop mus contribute with 27.5% of the Brazilian output for 2020 and the second, with 72.5%.

In the 1st crop of corn, the output reached 26.6 million metric tons, and was virtually stable against the fire in the previous month. There was an increase in the production of Ceará (50.7% or 245,7 thousand metric tons), as a result of a more favorable climate. Other increases in output were observed in Rio Grande do Norte (28.9% or 7,7 thousand metric tons), Pernambuco (14.9% or 10,1 thousand metric tons), in Bahia (3.3% or 50,0 thousand metric tons). The most significant decreases were those of Rio Grande do Sul (9.2% or 426,3 thousand metric tons), Paraíba (11.1% or 10,8 thousand metric tons) and Mato Grosso do Sul (7.8% or 10,7 thousand metric tons). Against 2019, the output was 2.2% bigger.

For the 2nd crop, the output estimate was 70,2 million metric tons, a decrease of 0.6% in relation with the previous month. The most significant decreases in the output estimate were reported by Paraná (7.9% or 971,9 thousand metric tons), by Mato Grosso do Sul (2.9% or 265,2 thousand metric tons) and by Goiás (3.2% or 300,8 thousand metric tons). The biggest increases in the output estimates, against the previous month, were those of Mato Grosso (3.6% or 1,1 million metric tons). in comparison with the previous year, the output of corn - 2nd crop fell by 5.9%, with a decrease in the average yield by 6.4%.

There was output decrease in Paraná (16.1%), Goiás (9.4%), Mato Grosso do Sul (9.5%), Minas Gerais (9.7%) and São Paulo (14.6%), and an increase of 0.8% in Mato Grosso. Against the previous year, the output of milk fell 5.9%, with decrease of average yield by 6.4%.

SOYBEAN (grain) – The fifth estimate for the output of soybeans, for  2020, amounted to 119,4 million metric tons, which means an increase of 5.2% in relation to the previous harvest. In the monthly update, there was a decrease of 1.4% in the harvested output. al output must surpass the record volume produced in the country in 2018.  

The output in Rio Grande do Sul, estimated at 11,2 million metric tons, fell 16.1% in relation to the month of April, or a figure equivalent to 2,1 million metric tons. Against the previous year, there was decline of production by 39.3%, or 7,3 million metric tons. The state went through a severe drought since December 2019 up to May, damaging part of the soybean producing areas. The scarcity of rain affected directly the average yield of soybean, expected to near 1,9 metric tons per hectare, a decrease of 40.7% in comparison with the state average of 2019.