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Brazil soybean productivity faces 55% risk without pest control
A study conducted by the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) in partnership with Croplife Brasil warns that Brazilian soybean crops could face a productivity drop of up to 55% if not adequately protected against pests, diseases, and weeds.
The research analyzed three management scenarios: no control, partial control (40% protection), and optimal control (80% protection). Under optimal control, productivity could reach 72 bags per hectare, whereas a total lack of control would result in only 32 bags per hectare. To compensate for such losses, an additional 33.5 million hectares of land—an area roughly the size of the state of Goiás—would need to be planted.
The economic implications are significant. The study estimates that a lack of phytosanitary control could result in a loss of R$ 223.5 billion and a reduction in soybean export revenue of US$ 17.6 billion per harvest. Furthermore, the reduced supply could drive soybean prices up by as much as 49%, potentially increasing official inflation (IPCA) by 0.26 percentage points due to the impact on derivative products like cooking oil, meat, milk, and eggs.
The study also highlights the controversy surrounding chemical pesticides. While essential for large-scale productivity, data from the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) indicates that soybean, corn, and sugarcane account for 76% of pesticide consumption in Brazil, raising concerns regarding environmental and human health.
Entities
Ana Carolyne Carvalho · Brazil · CropLife Brasil · Federal University of Viçosa · Goiás · Institute for Applied Economic Research · Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada · Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 19 SOURCES] Soybeans, corn, and sugarcane account for 76% of pesticide consumption in Brazil. diariodenoticiasmarilia.com.br · spnpb.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · jornalenoticias.com.br · mauaagora.com.br · +14 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Soybean prices could rise by up to 49% due to reduced supply. brasilemfolhas.com.br · planetaosasco.com · agoranointerior.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · www.piranot.com.br
- [● 19 SOURCES] Optimal control (80% protection) can reach a productivity of 72 bags per hectare. diariodenoticiasmarilia.com.br · spnpb.com.br · brasilemfolhas.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · +14 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Soybean productivity could drop by up to 55% without protection against pests and diseases. agoranointerior.com.br · diariodenoticiasmarilia.com.br · spnpb.com.br · brasilemfolhas.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · +14 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Soybean export revenue could decrease by US$ 17.6 billion per harvest without control. brasilemfolhas.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · planetaosasco.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · agoranointerior.com.br · +1 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Lack of phytosanitary control could cause a loss of R$ 223.5 billion. spnpb.com.br · brasilemfolhas.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · planetaosasco.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · +14 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] An additional 33.5 million hectares would need to be planted to compensate for lack of control. diariodenoticiasmarilia.com.br · spnpb.com.br · brasilemfolhas.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · +14 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Reduced soybean supply could increase official inflation (IPCA) by 0.26 percentage points. brasilemfolhas.com.br · planetaosasco.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · agoranointerior.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · +1 more