Brazilian Farmers Concerned About the Effects of Recent Cold, Frost, and Snow on Crops

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Warnings of very cold air delivered by a “polar air mass” came to pass in Brazil which experienced repeated bouts of cold weather, accompanied by frost and even snow is some growing regions of the country. The frost and snow events have left the country’s farmers concerned about various crops, according to reports from various news outlets.

International Comunicaffe reported that Brazil’s arabica bean coffee producers are concerned that unusual cold weather and light frost which swept through various growing regions in the second week of August might impact production.

“Coffee prices rose more than 6% on the ICE exchange on Monday [August 12] following the news, as investors rushed to buy futures to safeguard against potential production problems linked to the frosts,” reported Reuters.

Frost hit sugar cane production regions in the third week of August, according to CZ Insights. Although cane producers were concerned about the impact of the cold and frost, they were spared more damaging snow. Snow only fell in the south of the country, not impacting its cane growing regions.

Wheat and canola producers also faced possible crop losses due to the frost and cold.

“The intense variation in temperature, observed in recent weeks, caused stress in areas cultivated with canola and which are beginning to flower in Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Cultivar reported. “Crops in flowering and grain filling located in lower areas were affected by frosts, although it is not yet possible to accurately assess the damage.

“The occurrence of frosts, followed by increased temperatures, provided favorable conditions for the vegetative development of wheat crops, especially those sown at the end of the recommended planting window,” said Revista Culivar. “However, for crops in the reproductive phase, sown in early June, this weather phenomenon may have caused damage that could affect flowering and grain formation.”

It is too early to tell whether the recent cold temperatures, frost, and snowfall will impact the yield or production of any or all of Brazil’s crops.

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