Brazil's agriculture battered by rains, harming bees and sugarcane

Prolonged periods of rain in Brazil are restricting bee activity, causing colonies to exhaust their stored food. Beekeepers are advised to provide supplemental feeding only when necessary, using a sugar‑water syrup or protein‑enriched pastes placed in appropriate feeders to avoid attracting ants or wasps. Regular monitoring of hive weight and stored reserves helps decide the right moment for supplementation, supporting colony health for the next flowering season.

Intense rainfall is also affecting the Brazilian sugarcane sector. Higher-than‑expected soil moisture prolongs vegetative growth, delays maturation, and limits the accumulation of Total Recoverable Sugars (ATR), the key quality indicator for sugar and ethanol production. Growers in São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and surrounding regions face uncertainty in selecting the optimal harvest window, risking loss of potential sugar yield. Experts stress careful planning of the harvest calendar and consideration of ongoing climatic forecasts, including El Niño influences, to preserve profitability.