The eighth estimate for the national harvest of 2005, released by IBGE, points to a production of cereals, legumes and oilseeds (seed cotton, peanuts, rice, beans, castor seed, corn, soybeans, oats, rye, barley, sunflower seeds, sorghum, wheat and triticale) of about 113.131 million tons, less than the amount obtained in 2004, 119.370 million tons. It means a reduction of 5.23% in relation to the 2004 harvest, and a loss of 6.0 million tons. The data from Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production (LSPA) referring to August also show a decrease of 0.33% in comparison with the estimate for last year (July), 113.507 million tons.

In comparison with 2004, the Northeast region, which makes up 8.91% of the overall amount produced in this harvest, had an increase of 7.87%. The North and Central West regions, accounting, respectively, for 3.61% and 37.29%, had increments of 14.81% and 5.49%. The Southeast and South regions, contributing 15.56% and 34.63%, respectively, to the overall amount, had their participation reduced by 0.23% and 19.77%.

Situation of crops in August 2005 in comparison with July 2005

In the Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production of August, the highlights, compared to July 2005, are: beans - 1^st harvest (-2.93%) and corn -2^nd harvest (-1.24%). The negative change observed in beans - 1^st harvest is a consequence of adjustments in production, once the harvest is practically over in all the major producing regions in the country: Northeast (-5.13%), Southeast (-3.63%) and South (-1.38%). The amount produced in these regions was, respectively: 394 thousand tons, 344 thousand tons and 556 thousand tons.

With reference to 2^nd harvest corn, decrease of 1.24% of the production, was observed from July to August. The most relevant decrease was observed in São Paulo (-30%), a state which produced about 744 thousand tons. Irregular climatic conditions were the main cause of this significant reduction of the São Paulo production of corn - 2^nd harvest.

Situation of crops in August 2005 in comparison with 2004

Among the products analyzed, the ones which presented change in relation to the previous year were: beans -2^nd harvest (8.99%), beans - 3^rd harvest (10.70%), castor beans (37.46%) and soybeans (3.24%). Negative figures were observed for the following items: upland seed cotton (-1.74%), rice in the husk (-1.02%), beans -1^st harvest (grain) (-2.42%), corn -1^st harvest (-12.46%), corn -2^nd harvest (-28.76%), sorghum (grain) (-28.21%) and wheat (grain) (-9.17%).

Although the first harvest period is already completed in the main producing areas of the country, the winter products and the 2^nd and 3^rd harvest of corn and beans are still being monitored in the rural areas.

A production of 7.6 million tons of corn -2^nd harvest is expected. This amount is 29% inferior to that obtained from the last harvest (10.7 million tons). In Mato Grosso and Paraná, the main producers, responsible for 63% of the overall national production, the estimated production is 1.8 and 3.0 million tons, respectively. In these states the harvest is already advanced and close to the end.

The estimate for wheat points to a production of 5.2 million tons, 9.17% less than the amount harvested in 2004 (5.7 million tons). In Paraná and in Rio Grande do Sul, which concentrate 90% of the wheat production of the country, there have been no changes in climatic conditions. In the 2005 harvest, Paraná is expected to obtain about 3.0 million tons (1.19%) and productivity of 2.330 kg/ha (5.62%), whereas in Rio Grande do Sul the estimated figures are 1.7 million tons (-19%) and 1.966 kg/ha ( 7%).

Acquisition of leather in Q2 2005

In the second quarter of 2005, tanneries and the leather industry purchased 9.573 million tons of crude leather pieces. This figure indicates positive changes in the production of 9.56% over Q2 2004, and of 9.91% over Q1 2005. In the same period, positive changes (9.11%) were observed for tanned leather in comparison with Q2 2004, and of 7.70% in comparison with Q1 2005.

Considering the results accumulated in the year, June was the month which had the highest volume of purchase of leather pieces, followed by May. The main sources of the leather purchased were slaughterhouses. (62%).

Production of hen eggs in Q2 2005

In the second quarter of 2005, 497.160 million dozen eggs were obtained, indicating positive changes of 4.00%, when compared to the same period last year, and of 3.07%, in relation to the first quarter of 2005. The month of May had the biggest production of the quarter, 166.253 million dozen eggs.

The major producers of hen eggs, in the first six months of the year were the following states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Paraná, accounting, respectively, for 35%; 13% and 9% of the overall national production.