Although the drought that's plagued largeparts of Brazil has affected many of the crops grown there, growers have yet togreatly reduce acreage because of it. It's still to be seen how much waterarrives during the rainy season, but, even if water gets more scarce, growershave other avenues through which they can keep up volumes.
“Everybody is talking about watershortages,” said Adriana Prado of Itaueira Melons. “But when we talk togrowers, they aren't talking about reducing production.” Continuousimprovements in water management throughout the years have lessened the impactof the current drought, and growers have also successfully appealed to thegovernment for more water allocations so that volumes have not droppedsignificantly.
“Domestic production of melons could beaffected, like with many other crops,” said Prado. “But no one is thinkingabout reducing volumes for the export market. If things get worse, then forsure we will have to reduce volumes, but reductions won't be as intense aspeople have been talking about.” Most crops grown in Brazil, except for applesgrown in the south of the country, have been affected by water shortages. Goingforward, Prado thinks improvements in growing techniques could help manage thesituation.
“There's talk of reducing the production ofrice, for instance, because that uses more water than fruit,” said Prado. “Mostgrowers are already using new irrigation techniques, but those that are usingold technology can also change.”