According to the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply of the State of Parana, 62% of the 19/20 cassava harvest is completed at the same time that 77% of the 20/21 cassava is already sowed. Cassava sowing begins in May and ends in October, while the harvest lasts all year long depending on market and climate circumstances.
The farmers faced uprooting problems this season with very hard soil caused by lack of moisture. In addition, the harvest is labor intensive and serious transportation problems have occurred because of the pandemic. As a result, from March to August many industries that use cassava starch and flour were closed, with a detrimental effect on the commercialization of the root when prices dropped. As activity is recovering, prices are picking up and registering a 55% increase over the last year.