The seventh estimate for the national output of cereals, legumes and oilseeds amounted to 193.2 million metric tons, 2.6% above that of 2013 (188.2 million metric tons) and 0.3% above the June 2014 estimate (192.5 million metric tons). The estimate of the area to be harvested in 2014, 56.2 million hectares, increased by 6.4% in comparison with the area harvested in 2013 (52.9 million hectares) and decrease of 0.1% in relation to the previous month (56.3 million hectares). Rice, corn and soybeans are the three main products in this group, and, together, represented 91.1% of the output estimate and accounted for 85.0% of the area to be harvested. In relation to the previous year, there were increases in the area: 0.3% for rice, 8.6% for soybeans and decrease of 0.7% for corn. With reference to the output, increases were 4.4% for rice and 6.0% for soybeans. Corn fell by 4.4% in comparison with the 2013 result. The complete publication can be seen at www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/indicadores/agropecuaria/lspa.

Among the Major Regions, the produced volume of cereals, legumes and oilseeds presents the following distribution: Central West, 80.5 million metric tons; South Region, 72.9 million metric tons; Southeast, 17.3 million metric tons; Northeast Region, 17.3 million metric tons; and North Region, 5.1 million metric tons. Compared with figures in the previous harvest, there were increments in the North (3.5%), Northeast (44.8%) and Central West (2.6%). The South and Southeast Regions presented, respectively, decreases of 0.2% and 12.4% in relation to the production of the previous year. In this evaluation for 2014, Mato Grosso was the leader as the major producer of grains, with participation of 24.2%, followed by Paraná (18.5%) and Rio Grande do Sul (15.9%), which, together, accounted for 58.6% of the expected national output.

Highlights in the July estimate in relation to June 2014

In July, there were highlights in the following output estimates, in comparison with those of June: corn grain 2nd crop (2.2%), coffea canephora (0.2%), coffea arabica (-0.2%), corn grain 1st crop (0.9%), upland cotton (-0.9%), sorghum (-1.3%), bean seed - 3rd crop (-2.1%) and bean seed - 1st crop (-4.0%).

UPLAND COTTONSEED – The expected output for July was 4.3 million metric tons, representing decrease of 0.9% in relation to the previous month, as a consequence of the price adjustment in the planted areas of the two main producers in the country, Mato Grosso (-1.2%) and Bahia (-0.8%). The national average yield remained stable in relation to the previos month, with an estimated output of 3,781 kg/ha. Goiás, the third main producer, recorded increment of 0.9% stimulated by the 1.1% rise in planted area.

COFFEE BEAN – The July estimate reached 2.7 million metric tons, 0.2% less than in the previous month. The expected output of coffea arabica was 1,975,664 metric tons or 32.9 million 60 kg sacks, with reduction by 0.2% in relation to June, and decreases of 0.1% in Minas Gerais, 1.5% in Paraná and 5.2% in Rio de Janeiro. As for coffea canephora, the July harvest was 755,764 metric tons or 12.6 million 60 kg sacks, with decrease of 0.2% in relation to June. The main highlight,m in this case, was Rondônia, which fell 1.8% and is expected to harvest 81,757 metric tons.

BEAN SEED – The output estimate points to decrease of 2.1% in the output and increase of 0.1% in planted area over June figures. The biggest producers area Paraná, with 23.9%, Minas Gerais, with 17.0% and Bahia, with 9.1% of participation in the national output. Paraná reduced its planted area by 3.2%, and the estimate of average yield, by 4.5%. As a result, the output estimate is 1.5% smaller than in June, and stayed at 831,384 metric tons. Minas Gerais expects decrease of 0.2% in planted area and of 1.0% in the output, since for average yield there has been decrease of 0.6%. Bahia had the same figures as in the previous month.

BEAN SEED 1st crop – Despite the 1.3% in the estimated average yield, the estimated output decreased by 2.1%, followed by the decrease of planted area, which was 3.4% in comparison with the June result. Minas Gerais, the main producer with 48.7% of the national production, points to decrease of planted area (-1.2%), average yield (-0.4%) and output (-1.6%), in relation to the previous month. Goiás points to increase of 18.8% in planted area and of 1.6% in the average yield. As a result, the production estimate reached 110,732 metric tons, 20.6% more than in June.

CORN GRAIN - 1st crop – The estimate was 30.9 million metric tons, 0.9% less than in June. The biggest decrease occurred in Ceará, where there was reevaluation after the end of the harvest, with decrease after the drought of 6.6% of planted area and 27.0% of the average yield and decrease of production in the state by 31.9%.

CORN GRAIN 2nd crop – The estimate was 46.1 million metric tons, 2.2% above the June figure. The increase resulted from the bigger yield estimate of the three main producers: Mato Grosso, Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. The recovery of climate in Mato Grosso do Sul allowed the average yield to rise 2.1%, reaching 5,628 kg/ha or 87.8 sacks of 60 kg each. The estimate average yield in Paraná recorded increase, having changed from 5,369 kg/ha or89.5 sacks/ha, 2.7% bigger in comparison with that of June. Mato Grosso do Sul recorded increase of 1.6%, recording estimate of 5,000 kg/ha or 83.3 sacks/ha.

SORGHUM GRAIN – The July estimate reached 1,869,540, metric tons, pointing to increase of 1.3% in comparison with the June result. The main decreases of output occurred in Mato Grosso (-8.6%), Mato Grosso do Sul (-8.3%) and Ceará (-14.4%). In Goiás, the main producer in the country and a state which accounted for 40.7% of the output, the estimate reached 760,055 metric tons, with increase of 1.1% in relation to the previous month. In this state, although the planted area and the area to be harvested in 2014 have increased 6.4%, the expected yield has fallen 4.9%, as a result of the dry climate. That has also led to the fall of yield in Mato Grosso by 8.6% and 6.4%, respectively. In Minas Gerais, the second main producer, which accounted for 27.7% of the total, the estimate increased 0.4%, although the expected yield fell by 1.9%. The planted area and the area to be harvested increased 2.4%, as a result of the effort of producers who have increased their investments in the crops of this cereal.

July estimate for 2014 versus 2013 output

Among the 26 selected programs, 18 recorded a positive percentage change in the output estimates in relation to the previous year: upland cottonseed (25.4%), paddy rice (4.4%), oat grain (6.8%), potatoes - 1st crop (7.3%), potatoes - 2nd crop (1.1%), cacao nuts (4.3%0, coffee bean - canephora (16.7%), sugarcane (0.3%), oninons (7.9%), barley grain (6.4%), bean grain - 1st crop (42.7%), bean grain - 2nd crop (10.6%), oranges (0.9%), castos beans (176.5%), cassava (10.4%), soybean grain (6.0%), wheat grain (37.3%) and triticale grain (3.0%). Ten products presented decrease in estimates: peanuts in the shell - 1st crop (19.3%), peanuts in the shell - 2nd crop (16.8%), potatoes - 3rd crop (3.9%), coffee grain - arabica (13.1%), bean grain - 3rd crop (12.2%), corn grain - 1st crop (9.6%), corn grain - 2nd crop (0.7%) and sorghum grain (9.8%).