Did you know about the third Brazilian corn crop?

There is a “new” agricultural frontier in Brazil, not that well known, that just came to my attention, that produces a “third” corn crop, in an area called Sealba.

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Bigstock.com
Bigstock.com

There is a “new” agricultural frontier in Brazil, not that well known, that just came to my attention, that produces a “third” corn crop, in an area called Sealba. This region comprises the state of Sergipe, as well as parts of the states of Alagoas and Bahia, in Northeast Brazil.

It has been reported that this year 6.5% more hectares have been planted than a year ago and could total 1.7 million metric tons (MT). This small region is growing in importance and its particularity lies in the fact that, compared to the other largest corn producing regions in Brazil, it has a different ag calendar. Planting takes place in May and June, very similar to the Northern Hemisphere. It is also characterized by small and medium producers that use different methods. In the specific case of corn, it ranges from intercropping with beans to highly mechanized cultivation and high-tech seeds.

So here we have another important source, that although it seems to be destined to domestic poultry and swine producers, it adds to the main crop and the safrinha crop, which means that more corn may be available.

Even though the Amazon rainforest covers almost 50% of the Brazilian territory, Sealba is outside this area, which to my humble opinion, makes it attractive in terms of sustainability. In times in which certain markets, such as the European, are starting to focus on sustainability, this is a check mark in the requirements list.

In any event, I thought this is an interesting piece of the world agricultural puzzle that we must be aware of. If producers in Sealba continue to use high technology and improved seeds, and considering the region is quite homogenous in terms of climatic conditions, productivity will rise.

There is no doubt Brazil is destined to be the world grain and food basket. 

What do you think?

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