Diversified vegetable production guarantees income to the producer and nutrition to the consumer in Brazil

The Brazilian vegetable market is highly diversified. Roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds that are part of the São Paulo consumers' menu are grown in more than 42 thousand Agricultural Production Units throughout the state of São Paulo and represent about 20% of national production. São Paulo is also the main consumer market and absorbs 22% of what is produced. The main products are potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, lettuce, onions and carrots. According to information from the Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA), the State Department of Agriculture and Supply, in 2019, 19 million crates were produced with 9 dozen lettuce each; three million boxes of 25 kg of carrots each; 8.3 million bags of 50 kg of winter potatoes each; and 81 thousand tons of seedling onion, among some of the main vegetables consumed. As the plant cycle is generally short, the grower can plant several crops in the same area, with the advantage of producing all year round, having a stable ...