The pine nut harvest in Santa Catarina begins on April 1st, with an initial production perspective of 5.7 thousand tons, 30% more than in 2023. The estimate is from Epagri’s Regional Management in Lages, based on a survey carried out with the producers. The harvest will last until July, during which the initial estimate may be revised.
In the municipality of Panel alone, which is the largest producer of pine nuts in the state, around 2,200 tons are expected. According to José Márcio Lehmann, regional manager at Epagri in Lages, this is not a very significant amount, given that in 2023 production was very low. “We hope the price pays off for farmers, who at the beginning of the harvest are receiving around R$6 per kilo,” he says.
José Márcio believes that this alternation in production is linked to climatic factors. “A pine cone takes around 32 months to mature. Therefore, the three-year climate conditions affect the quantity and quality of the seeds,” he explains.
The manager emphasizes that pine nuts are very important for farmers in the Santa Catarina mountains. Of the 16 thousand rural producer families in the region, at least 30% of them have pine nuts as one of the products that make up the property’s annual income.
Tags: Correio Norte Agribusiness Santa Catarina expects harvest pine nuts
