Brazilian production potential: A historical analysis of corn production

Abstract

Corn is one of the most cultivated cereals worldwide, with a relevant role in Brazilian agribusiness, with profit and employment in all regions of the country. The evolution of cultivated area, production, productivity and corn production stableness in different region of Brazil are investigated. Data on production, productivity and area were retrieved from the historical data of the National Supply Company (CONAB), for the 1977-2017 period, divided into three periods: i) 1977 - 1990; ii) 1991 - 2004; and iii) 2005 - 2017. Production stableness was calculated by the coefficient of variation (CV ). Results highlighted the changes in the period, such as i) 49.08% expansion of area for corn crop; ii) production increase brought about by increase in area and productivity; iii) increase in productivity throughout the three periods, with special reference to the southern, center-western and southeastern states; iv) unstableness in productivity throughout the years and in different regions.