Potato winter season ends with good results in Brazil

The beginning of the 2022 winter potato crop was marked by a scenario of good prices, but with some problems in production – especially in Vargem Grande do Sul (SP), the main production center for the table market in the period. In July, when the first areas of the season were harvested, the predominantly hot and dry climate favored the incidence of pests in the crops, which had an impact on productivity in general. In Vargem Grande do Sul (SP), a strong verticillium wilt pressure caused significant losses in production in the first month of harvest, and some producers reported that their productivity averages were below 30 t/ha. In August, there was a general improvement in conditions in the field. However, the excess of tubers caused a significant drop in prices – which reached the lowest average of the year. Thus, the profitability of the producer was harmed. As of September, production continued to be good and prices registered an improvement, mainly due to the beginning of ...