Extreme heat wave hits southern Brazil and causes loss of R$ 45 billion to the agribusiness

The extreme heat wave that hit South America at the beginning of the year reached the southern region of Brazil.

In Rio Grande do Sul states, cities registered 43°C and, on the West Border, which borders Argentina, thermometers reached 44°C. According to Climatempo meteorologist Fabiane Casamento, heard by the G1, this was the largest in the last 62 years in the region.

The newspaper O Estado de São Paulo highlighted the great impact on agricultural production caused by the extreme heat not only in Rio Grande do Sul, but also in Paraná, Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul states. According to the story, the losses –especially in soy and corn plantations, amounts for R$ 45.3 billion. The situation is exacerbated by the drought that has persisted since last year.