Rio - In its eighth estimate of the 2004 agricultural harvest in Brazil, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) forecasts a volume of 119.386 million tons, 3.43% less than the 123.632 million tons harvested in 2003. The most recent forecast is also 0.08% lower than the IBGE's previous estimate, in July, of 119.479 million tons.

The IBGE also released its Quarterly Survey of Animals Slaughtered, which indicates a 7.62% increase in cattle butchered, when compared with the first quarter of 2004, and a 25.22% increase in comparison with the second quarter of 2003. 6.426 million head of cattle were slaughtered in the country between April and June.

With respect to milk production, the study indicates a 9.24% decline in the second quarter, when compared with the first quarter of 2004, but a 4.72% increase in comparison with the second quarter of 2003.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Cristiane Ribeiro
Translator: David Silberstein
10/01/2004