Agrochemical sales increase in Paraná, Brazil

The crop protection industry topped US$ 1.35 billion in 2014 in the Brazilian state of Paraná- one of the main rural state with soybeans and wheat as its major crops. The number represents an increase of 20.53% compared to US$ 1.12 billion in 2012.

 

The state stayed again on third place in the country's ranking, behind Mato Grosso (US$ 2.5 billion) and São Paulo (US$ 1.61 billion), according to data of the National Union of Crop Protection Industry Products (Sindiveg). In contrast, the volume of agrochemicals effectively used on crops in Paraná fell on a bigger proportion: 22.25%.

 

According to data of the Monitoring System of Trade and Agrochemical Use of the State of Paraná (Siagro), last year 118.4 million kg of agrochemicals were applied in Paraná, compared to 152.3 million kg in 2012. Siagro collects real data about the quantity sold to be used on crops in the state. That means the trade of dealerships to other states, for instance, is not accounted.

 

The coordinator of enforcement of agrochemicals of Crop Protection Agency of Paraná (Adapar), João Miguel Tosato, said that the appearance of the caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera serving as a "market pressure" to sell agrochemicals. "Sometimes farmer already wanted to apply agrochemicals because of a suspect. We achieved to persuade farmers to apply 2 times rather than 8 to 10 times", said Tosato.