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Piracicaba 25th – The month of September was marked by several difficulties in the production and marketing of vegetables (such as hard-leaf vegetables and brassicas) in the Brazilian state of São Paulo's green belt, especially those related to the weather. In general, temperatures were quite high, and the lack of rain – which had been ongoing for weeks – damaged the quality of lettuce, especially the American variety. A good part of the hard-leaf vegetable production was classified as wilting, with several reports of edge burning as well as problems with “melt.”
Low humidity also increased production costs, as there was a greater need to irrigate (for those who already had an irrigation structure). For others, who rely on the weather, the quality of their lettuces was even more affected. In addition to these factors, the sale of vegetables was also below expectations, with no recovery in consumption even during times of heat – a very atypical scenario for the period, which intrigued both producers and wholesalers. Thus, leftovers and the need to discard products happened routinely, causing even more damage.
However, expectations regarding the improvement of the hard-leaf vegetable market are increasing. The resumption of rainfall – which has already begun since last weekend – should help improve quality, which will subsequently help control supply. According to Climatempo data forecasts, an accumulation of 60 millimeters is expected in Ibiúna (a region in the Brazilian state of São Paulo) in the next fortnight and almost 90 millimeters in Mogi das Cruzes (another region in the Brazilian state of São Paulo).
Source: hfbrasil.org.br
