The tenth estimate for the national 2005 harvest, released by IBGE, points to a production of cereals, legumes and oilseeds (cotton seed, peanuts, rice, beans, castor seeds, corn, soybeans, oats, rye, barley, sunflower seeds, sorghum and triticale) of about 112,743 million tons. It represents a reduction of 5,49% compared to year 2004, when 119, 294 million tons of grains were obtained.

In relation to September 2005, when the estimated amount reached 112,862 million tons, there was also reduction of production (-0.11%). In this case, the decrease was due to the reduction of corn crops by about 100 thousand tons.

In 2005, the production of grains in the major regions of the country and the contribution of these regions to the national production have been distributed as follows: 4,055 million tons (14.03%) in the Northeast; 9,986 million tons (7.00%) in the Northeast; 17,543 million tons (-0.52%) in the Southeast; 38,938 million tons (-20.27%) in the South and 42,221 million tons (5.73%) in the Central West.

Some of the products analyzed accounted for a positive change in the estimated production in comparison with figures of year 2004: beans (grain) – 2^nd harvest (7.09%); beans (grain) – 3^rd harvest; castor beans (38.42%) and soybeans (3.12%). The opposite happened to the following crops: herbaceous cotton (-3.86%); rice in husk (-0.12%); beans (grain) – 1^st harvest (-3.03%); corn (grain) – 1^st harvest (-12.95%); corn (grain) – 2^nd harvest (-28.43%); sorghum (-27.34%) and wheat (grain) (-12.75%).

As for corn crops, a volume of about 4,996 million tons is expected in 2005. That figure represents a reduction of 13% over the wheat harvest of 2004, when about 5,726 million tons of this cereal were harvested, – a loss of 730 thousand tons in the period. As for corn crops, a volume of about 4,996 million tons is expected in 2005. That figure represents a reduction of 13% over the wheat harvest of 2004, when about 5,726 million tons of this cereal were harvested, – a loss of 730 thousand tons in the period. In Paraná, the harvesting period is already close to the end; in some other areas of the state the excess of precipitation has led to reduction of both productivity and product quality. The same problem occurred in Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul. In Rio Grande do Sul, the harvest is still in progress, and it is expected to increase by the middle of November. The estimated production in Paraná is 2.8 million tons (-5%) and, in Rio Grande do Sul, 1.6 million tons (-20%). Together, the two states account for 90% of the national wheat production.

 IN COMPARISON WITH SEPTEMBER 2005, THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE BEANS (3rd HARVEST) AND WHEAT (GRAIN)

According to the Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production (LSPA), the highlights in terms of the estimates which changed from September to October are: beans (grain) – 3^rd harvest (1.80%) and wheat (grain) (-1.97%).

The positive change observed for beans – 3^rd harvest is a consequence of adjustments in the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso, where the harvest of this product is already finished. The good prices in effect contributed to the positive results obtained by this crop. In São Paulo, production of 97 thousand tons of beans – 3^rd harvest is expected; in Mato Grosso do Sul, 810 thousand tons.

Concerning wheat, a decrease of almost 2% in relation to September is observed. The main differences occurred in Santa Catarina (-15%) and Mato Grosso do Sul (-17%). In these two states several problems were caused by irregular climactic conditions, such as lack of rain in the beginning of the planting period and excess in the harvesting period. It is worth mentioning that among the major crops, only wheat is still in the field. The remaining ones – rice, corn, beans, cotton and soybeans – have already been harvested.