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10 3.11 to 3.16.2019 Assesment by Anfavea S ão Paulo – Agriculture and road machinery production totaled 3 thousand 507 units in February, a decline of 10.2% as compared to the same month of last year, as per data released by Anfavea on Monday 11. In comparison to January volumes were up by 20.7% and, according to president Antonio Megale, there is room for production to grow over the year, so long as there is not a lack of funding to finance the Harvest Season Plan for 2018/2019 and the following one, which starts June 1st. In this two-month period, 6 thousand 413 pieces of machinery left the plants, a reduction of 3.3% as compared to the January-February period of last year. A total of 2 thousand 874 units were sold in February, for an increase of 19.8% compared to the same period of last year and 7.9% compared to January. Year to date sales were 5 thousand 537 pieces of machinery, an increase of 38.4% versus the first two-month period of 2018. “Agribusiness started off very strong and prospects for the year are good, with forecasts for the harvest season above 230 million tons”. Alfredo Miguel Neto, Anfavea’s vice president in charge of the machinery sector, stated that even with uncertainties about the closure of the current Harvest Season plan and the transition to the next one, producers’ trust is on the rise, and investments were maintained. But then again the funds for the financing must be available: “Soya producers could also take advantage of negotiations with China, which is paying top dollar for the national product”. Exports of machinery reached 834 units, a decline of 10.6% as compared to February of last year and of 7.8% in the bimonthly period. Megale said the decline was brought about by the same reason affecting vehicles in general – the economic crisis in Argentina, which is the main destination of Brazilian equipment. Agriculture machinery production falls by 10% in February. Caio Bednarski | caio@autodata.com.br