Brazil: Winter potato harvest begins in Vargem Grande do Sul

The main milestone of this period is the official opening of the harvest in the municipality of Vargem Grande do Sul (SP), a region of utmost importance for national supply during the second half of the year.

The first shipments from the São Paulo region are already being registered at the main wholesale distribution centers. According to field studies, the pace of activity is in line with initial forecasts, and the volume is expected to become more logistically significant from the second half of July onwards, when more areas reach their optimal ripening point.

In general, wholesale agents and distributors operating in the Supply Centers (Ceasas) highlight the good commercial quality and condition of the tubers received at the beginning of this winter harvest. The weather conditions throughout the growing season favored the size and skin of the potatoes, ensuring good acceptance in the marketing channels.

According to analyses by Cepea (Center for Applied Energy and Economic Research), in addition to loads from the southwest and other areas of São Paulo, the national supply during this transition phase also depends on the regular supply from regions such as Paraná, Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais do Sul, Cristalina (GO) and Rio Grande do Sul.

In Bahia, monitoring in the Chapada Diamantina region indicates that average local productivity has shown a progressive recovery, increasing from 34 tons per hectare in April to an estimated 45 tons per hectare by the end of June. Water management through irrigation systems and lower temperatures in Bahia have created excellent conditions for the uniform development of both rainfed and irrigated fields.

Market dynamics and accommodation in customs warehouses

The gradual entry of new harvesting areas and the start of school holidays — a period historically characterized by a seasonal reduction in institutional consumption (school cafeterias and company restaurants) — resulted in greater stability in the  prices practiced in wholesale markets.

The weekly report on the Agata specialty potato wholesale market indicated the following average prices per 25 kg sack: 

São Paulo (SP): R$ 91.03;

Rio de Janeiro (RJ): R$ 83.21;

Belo Horizonte (MG): R$ 78.88.

The agricultural technicians and engineers who oversee the sector indicate that price fluctuations are a natural response to the balance between seasonal demand and the increased supply resulting from the consolidation of regional winter harvests. Regular deliveries are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the market stabilized under conditions of flow and distribution.