Brazil: Southern regions will be at full potato production capacity in December

Producers in Guarapuava (PR), Água Doce (SC), and Bom Jesus (RS) are expected to begin harvesting their rainy season crop in the second half of December. These regions are expected to have lower supply in December, with availability increasing from January onward, while other southern regions will reach their peak yield in December.

The Guarapuava region finished planting the first part of the crop in October, and the second part began in November. Producers in this area report frequent but not excessive rainfall, which has favored crop development. Warm days and cooler nights are also contributing to good production. This year, there were no frosts during the growing season, which is unusual in many years, and as a result, the crops are developing very well and high productivity is expected. Cases of late blight were reported in the first half of November, due to rain and cold weather, and black spot, especially in seed areas, were reported in early August and at the current end of the potato growing season. Despite the rain and mild temperatures throughout the season, the predominantly dry weather of the preceding months, intercropping, and slightly higher temperatures recently, problems with flea beetles and leafminers were also reported in early November. All reported problems are under control and should not result in significant damage to productivity and quality.

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Água Doce (SC) expects to complete 57% of its planting by the end of November. Currently, the first planted areas are halfway through their cycle, and the harvest is expected to begin in late December and intensify in January. The region has progressed normally, with no reports of the need to increase pest or disease control. Frost occurred at the beginning of planting, but the potatoes had not yet sprouted, so there was no damage; on the contrary, it contributed to better crop health. Rainfall has also been abundant, which is beneficial for production.

Bom Jesus (RS) should also begin its harvest at the end of December, with 70% of the planted crop expected by the end of this month; by the end of this week, approximately 50% had been planted. The weather has also been favorable, with regular but not excessive rainfall. Problems have been reported with leaf miners (present in crops nearing the end of their cycle), black spot (which begins 60 days after planting), and late blight, which is present throughout the potato cycle.