Press release CEAGESP The producer Elio Portella of Tarabai ( SP ) , has two sheds , cleaning and classification of sweet potato The sweet potato is in full harvest in the region of Presidente Prudente ( SP ), the main production hub in the state , with 1.4 million 24 -pound boxes , and planting 2,200 hectares . According to the Institute of Agricultural Economics ( IEA ) , the state production reaches 2.3 million boxes of 24 kilos in a planted area of 3,500 hectares . Most areas cultivated with sweet potato Prudente is in the hands of small farmers who lease land . Even under the lease scheme , however, they have to take very good care of the land and produce quality , especially because much of the crop goes to export . Some send abroad up to 40 % of the harvest . This is the case of the farmer Elio Francelino Portella , who owns 240 acres in Tarabai , Narandiba , Anhumas and Alvares Machado . It produces on average 840 boxes of 25 pounds per acre - 40 % of production is exported to Portugal , Germany , Canada, France and England. Heavier . " I have partnered with other manufacturers who make the export . " Portella has to deliver the potatoes washed and selected to meet the export standard . " The potatoes exported weighs between 400 grams and 1.2 kg, has no defects , have uniform color , pink , and should have more elongated shape ," he explains . The standard potato distributed domestically differs in weight : should weigh 200-350 grams . He says , for export , there is the obstacle of the lack of registered pesticides - importers do not allow the use of products that are not registered for use in the tuber. "I try to apply the minimum pesticide , but when you need to do with technical support ," he says . What is not exported , Portella distributes for Ceasas River and Mato Grosso , for a supermarket chain in Paraná and confectionery industries in Santa Catarina and in the region of Bauru ( SP ) . " The industry has another pattern . Potato has to weigh from 1.5 to 5 pounds . Bigger is better , because the weight influences the performance . " Packing house . Portella has two sheds , where lava and classifies the production . " The price fluctuates a lot , but today the box 25 pounds , on the farm , is quoted at R $ 8 to R $ 10 . The price of the box of 20 pounds of potatoes washed is R $ 14 , $ 15 , in Rio . " The variety used by 90% of producers in the region is the " Canadian " , who came from South Africa , is pink and has a white pulp . " It is a resistant potato , firm flesh and greater acceptance," says producer Luiz da Silva Rocha, who plant, on average , 100 acres of sweet potatoes in municipalities as Alvares Machado and Pirapozinho . Rock exports about 30 % of what it produces - about 80,000 cases a year - for Canada, France and the Netherlands. Sales to Argentina and Uruguay only begin in the second half , when the weather cools . Rock explains that this season is not the best because of excessive rainfall in late 2009 and early this year . " My productivity was 400 in boxes of 26 pounds per acre if it had not rained so much, come to 700 boxes per acre . " Standard . In the domestic market , supplies the Ceasas Rock River , Paraná and Mato Grosso . " In Canada, the preference is for potato Graúda , the Netherlands , for smaller potatoes . Demand in Rio is a sweet potato more elongated shape , and Curitiba , the favorite is the potato round . " According to Rocha , three items are critical in the activity : shed to sort of potato machinery , which are the scrubbers , and skilled labor . " Although producers prefer not to say how much they earn more by exporting agronomist André Gustavo Ferreira de Castilho , the House Agriculture Pirapozinho , says the price paid to the producer that exports is estimated at $ 20 to box 25 pounds . The average yield obtained by farmers in the region - which reaches 700 boxes of 25 kilograms per hectare - is not considered bad, but can improve . "We had a producer who got 1,000 , 1,500 boxes per hectare ," says the agronomist .
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 20:10:46 +0000
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