The yerbatero sector has had the best start to harvesting in the last four years

Despite the cessation of the harvest promoted by the producers of the north-east of Misiones, The yerbatero sector has had the best start to harvesting in the last four years.

The volume of raw material entering the dryers in January lit reached 21,059,927 kilos121% more than the same period in 2023, according to data published by the National Yerba Mate Institute (INYM).

The increase is mainly due to the contribution of Corrientes, which collected 8,440,176 kilos (40% of the total); followed by the Central area of ​​Misiones, with 5,033,325 kilos (24%). Where the lowest volume of green leaf processing was recorded was in the northwest of the province of Misiones, where only 303,469 kilos were dehydrated (dehydrated).

To find a similar start to the year, we have to go back to January 2020, when 23,380,840 kilos entered the industries. From then on, the prolonged drought meant that the zafriña (summer harvest) decreased to avoid the death of the plants. In 2021 the volume dropped to 13 million kilos; and in 2022 it amounted to 11.2 million. Last year only 9.5 million kilos entered the industrialization process.

The beginning of the year was very complicated for herbal producers. The sharp devaluation in December resulted in a staggered increase in prices that the National Agriculture Secretariat had set for green leaf and canchada (dry herb, without grinding) through a premium for the October-March period.

The farmers of San Pedro and Andresito began the cessation of harvesting to demand 505 pesos per kilo of raw material, more than double what was established by Agriculture. Even though they did not reach the expected value, the industrialists decided to pay between 350 and 370 pesos in cash, about 130 pesos more than what was established.

From the different entities representing the producers, many have noticed this They decided to start harvesting due to the suffocating economic situation what they were experiencing in an extremely high inflationary environment in December and January.

Mills also started the year with strong shipments to the domestic market, up nearly 7%. According to INYM data, 21,532,117 kilos of yerba mate went to sales centers. In January 2023, the volume shipped was 20,169,086 kilos.

To find similar sales in the domestic market, we have to go back to 2020 and 2021.

Regarding the preference of the Argentine materos, the choice of half kilo packs is maintained, which represent 53.63% of total sales; followed by kilo containers with 40.90%. These two formats represent 94.52% of the total weed marketed.

Sales abroad also started with excellent volumes. In the month of January, 3,953,626 kilos were shipped, almost 10% of the total exported in the whole of 2023. To find a similar start to the year you have to go back to 2020.