"Tomato Capital" see production fall by half

After planting tomatoes for more than 15 years in Goianápolis, city in the State of Goiás, known as the tomato capital, Adair Balduino Ribeiro came across very above average prices for the product box at the beginning of the year. The high movement began at the end of 2012 and reached its apex in Easter week. Balduino came to receive up to $ 100 by the 22 pounds of tomatoes, while the average for the same period is $ 35.
At the beginning of the year, a period known as "the time of the waters", productivity is lower and higher costs, which typically reduces supply and depressing prices of the fruit.
Although happy with the prices, the producers have not had reason to celebrate the productivity of their orchards. Excessive rains and seriously affected crop pests. The productivity of tomatoes being harvested by Balduino is 250 boxes per thousand feet. In previous vintages, this income was 350 to 400 cartons per thousand feet. "Even with the price up there, I lost a lot because of the drill and white fly," he explained.
With the fall of productivity, prices skyrocketed and alçaram the tomatoes to the condition number 1 villain of inflation in Brazil. However, this movement is cooling. Survey of the Center for advanced studies in applied economics (Cepea) shows that prices of tomatoes in the company of Warehouses and general stores of São Paulo (Ceagesp) retreated 48.50% wholesale and 46.17% per producer in the last couple of weeks. The box that was negotiated at r $ 108,75 (R $ 85,47 or to the producer) is already sold to R $ 56.00 (or $ 46 to the producer).
Sergio Pereira Lima planted 60 thousand feet of tomato and lost completely its production due to excess rains, drill and whitefly. Trying to take advantage of high prices, immediately began planting in another area to try to take the stage. Harvesting at Fazenda Santa Rita begins in June and runs until September.
The tomato cycle is short. The producers buy the seedlings with 30 days and the plant. After about 70 days, they give the first tomatoes. After the first harvest, the plants increase production and continue producing by 45 to 80 days, depending on the season. After that, the plants are removed and the area receives another crop. In order to eliminate the local pests, producers never tomato plant twice in the same area.
The bit, main cause of crop losses, is present throughout the year, but its incidence grows in the rainy season. The blight that goes by the scientific name "Neoleucinotes Elegantalis" is difficult to control due to its nocturnal habits. The insect lays its eggs during the early hours. They are deposited in fruit small, still in formation. After hatching, it takes around four to five days, is the penetration of the larvae in the plant, which makes rot inside, despite the good outward appearance.
The current rainy season already is considered critical in the State of Goiás. In 2011 and 2012, the losses due to the climate and pests were great. For this reason, several producers have abandoned planting at the expense of soybeans and corn. "It's a very difficult activity. An hour the price is good. On the other, do not pay or production costs. There is no safety to produce "Balduino said. The tomato is not included in the Minimum price guarantee policy (PGPM) (see story below).
According to data from the Federation of agriculture and livestock of Goiás (Faeg), the area cultivated with tomatoes in Goianápolis fell more than half in just three years. In 2010, the occupied area with the fruit in the region was 2.5 thousand hectares. Last year, the cultivation was restricted to 1.1 thousand hectares.
After the high prices, the producers who had abandoned the culture in 2012 again devote an area of its properties to the tomato. Therefore, the expectation is that, starting in June, the price of the box to fall considerably. Very producers began to plant in February and March and hope to reap from may the first tomatoes. The expectations of producers is that the price of 23 kilos to reach R $ 15.
Reason of joke on social networks and target of consumer revolt, the tomato is named as the great villain of food inflation, which reached 13.48% over the last 12 months. However, the vegetable was not decisive for the national consumer price index (IPCA), as their weight in the consumer basket is small. The food as a whole accounted for 60% of 0.47% high of IPCA in March, but the tomato contributed only 0.02% of the March result. Last month, the vegetable had a weight of 0.33% of the family budget.
Excluding the food group, the IPCA was 0.25% in the month and 4.5% in the past 12 months. The accumulated index in a year reached 6.59%, above the inflation target ceiling. High in the price of tomatoes in the 12 months ended in March amounted to 122%.