Brazilian growers face dilemma

21 May 1999

Brazilian growers face dilemma

FARMERS in Brazils southern state of Parana are very efficient but, despite the effort, earn very little and will probably have to move elsewhere to survive.

The newspaper examines the state of farming in the country following the recent devaluation of the currency.

It finds the devaluation has left many farmers in heavy debt, suffering because their farms are not big enough to generate the income needed to service their loans.

This has meant some farmers are selling out and then moving to agriculture frontier states in the west and north-east of Brazil, where land is cheaper.

Others are trying to move up the value-chain by raising cattle or poultry rather than growing soyabeans.

• Financial Times 21/05/99 page 30