The pine culture drives sectors of the forest production chain.

According to the Conjunctural Newsletter released by Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the State Department of Rural Development (SDR), this Thursday (11/04), in the administrative region of Emater/RS-Ascar in Passo Fundo, resin extraction and management in collectors in forest areas with formalized contracts continue to progress. However, leasing agreements between resin extraction companies and forest owners continue at a slow pace, with rates ranging between 20% and 30%.

The price of resin has seen a reduction, and the demand for pine logs to supply companies in Santa Catarina has also decreased. Nevertheless, harvesting is taking place moderately, although the damage caused by capuchin monkeys to the plantations is considerable.

In the Caxias do Sul region, according to data from the 2018 IBGE Census, the pine culture occupies an area of approximately 192 thousand hectares. This culture plays an important role in various sectors of the forest production chain, including the production of logs, panels, plywood, among others. There has been a stabilization in the selling price of logs, with a steady demand expected to persist. The demand for the raw material of the species continues, providing good prices to producers and an increase in the volume of logs traded, including smaller diameters.

Although opportunities for marketing smaller diameter logs have stimulated the resumption of management in plantations, there is still a strong preference for marketing in the clear-cutting modality. It is also observed that there are many areas with the species lacking proper management, especially with thinnings delayed. Despite the increase in demand for raw material, there are few new plantations in the region, except for vertically integrated companies. The lack of new plantations concerns entities in the forestry sector, who see an expansion of ventures in processing and using raw material in the region. The pine culture is in good phytosanitary conditions, and management, harvesting, and marketing continue to progress.

Source: Agrolink – Seane Lennon