Brazil: rising prices in the markets and investment in infrastructure

Brazil’s potato sector closes April in a scenario of intense economic and strategic activity. Between the end of the rainy-season harvest and preparations for the winter cycles, the sector is monitoring factors ranging from stronger potato values in the markets to the progress of public policies on water infrastructure.
 

Rising prices in the wholesale market

The potato market recorded a significant increase in value during the last week of April. In the São Paulo wholesale market, special ágata potatoes rose by nearly 40%, with similar effects in the markets of Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. This movement is being driven by the end of the rainy-season harvest, which reduces available supply before the full start of the dry season. We examine how this supply “gap” is expected to keep prices at high levels throughout May.
 

Irrigation investments in the South

To combat the effects of drought and increase productivity, the government of Rio Grande do Sul has launched the third phase of an important irrigation incentive program. With direct financial support for the construction of reservoirs and the expansion of irrigation systems, the initiative seeks to mitigate climate risks and move the state closer to self-sufficiency in grains and vegetables. We examine how access to these resources can transform the production security of farms in Rio Grande do Sul.
 

Climate challenges and pests in Paraná

While the market rises, the field faces severe challenges in Paraná. Low rainfall and poor water distribution are worrying growers in Curitiba, Irati, and Ponta Grossa. In addition to affecting tuber development, the dry weather has favored the migration of pests from neighboring crops into potato fields. The full audio details management strategies to face this adverse phytosanitary scenario.
 

Market intelligence and the productivity paradox

A key debate is gaining momentum in the sector: why does producing more not always mean earning more? The analysis addresses the compression of profit margins, where improvements in production efficiency often expand national supply so quickly that prices are pushed downward. Understanding this asymmetry among the different links in the chain is essential to enrich the debate on the producer’s economic sustainability.
 

Strategic meetings and gastronomic festivals

Potatoes are also taking center stage in events that combine business and culture. The upcoming ABBIN Regional Meeting in São Francisco de Paula (RS) stands out, featuring strategic talks on price and cost trends. In addition, Minas Gerais is reinforcing its national leadership with gastronomic festivals that highlight the versatility of the tuber. These gatherings are key spaces for networking and understanding new consumption behaviors.