O impacto da pandemia da Covid-19 na atividade leiteira na região de Lagoa da Prata - MG

Abstract

This study demonstrates the quantitative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the costs of milk production in Lagoa da Prata - MG region. The research assesses part of the economic reality of seven agricultural production units that have dairy farming as their main source of income. The research was carried out by collecting data from seven milk-producing rural properties in the municipalities of Lagoa da Prata, Arcos, Luz and Japaraíba, located in the Center-West of the state of Minas Gerais. Data were collected from the combination of direct observations made during 2021 and MF Consultoria database, located in Lagoa da Prata. The study has data of production volume, total revenue from the activity, production cost for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, considering diversity, quantity produced and the main factors that impact on the cost of milk production. In 2021, the properties selected for the study were visited many times as part of the Technical and Management Assistance project under the responsibility of MF Consultoria. The knowledge acquired during those visits was complemented with the transfer, by MF Consulting, of socioeconomic data of seven rural properties dedicated to the dairy farming in Lagoa da Prata region. The information shared is anonymous, which prevents the identification of property managers. The Covid-19 pandemic had important impacts on the world economy and, concerning the cost of milk production, it was no different. The production cost was adjusted as well as the selling price of milk. The dairy farming in Lagoa da Prata region has great diversity, which can represent different magnitude challenges to rural families while they are faced with the uncertainties and oscillations of milk market. Smaller properties tend to be the most vulnerable, because of the difficulties to invest and stay competitive. Despite the positive economic performance between 2019 and 2021, particularly in 2020, the economic scenario for dairy farming has been challenging. It can be explained by the increase in production costs in a more than proportional way to the price of milk from 2021 on.