Great potential
"Brazil has tremendous potential; there are many opportunities," believes the greenhouse product trader, adding that the situation of political uncertainty, which is causing unemployment and problems in the automotive industry, among others, is actually just a blip which, once overcome, will allow the industry to evolve. "The economy is strong, because we have 200 million people and 10% of that, about 20 million people, have plenty of money. I've been working for 20 years with protected crops and have seen all the changes in greenhouses. Today, there are really good greenhouses that are very well developed, such as the flower greenhouses, where customers spend more. Furthermore, the vegetable market is booming, and we must invest in technology. There is great potential for growth. Hydroponic and vegetable crops will grow considerably in Brazil over the next 10 years. The market will experience exponential growth. Looking at the medium and long term, Brazil is a country of opportunities. For example, we have a lot of water, which is a global problem: we have the two largest aquifers in the world," he explains.
The moment to invest
Microclimates
Zotti mentions that the climate is changing in Brazil and around the world, providing opportunities for greenhouses. "In southern Brazil, we are seeing hailstones as large as fists, and São Paulo has suffered a water shortage for the past two months. There are many types of microclimates in various parts of the country." These different climates are also making producers from different regions use different types of protection for their crops. "In rainy areas, plastic is more common than mesh, resulting in cheaper greenhouses. In other warmer areas, you normally see anti-insect or anti-hail screens, or simply some for protection against the sun," he adds.
"Brazil is a very interesting place to invest. Although we are temporarily going through a difficult time, the government will change and a lot of good things will be happening," predicts Zotti, who expects major changes in the field of greenhouses. "Protected cultivation will have many opportunities. More tomatoes, peppers and hydroponic lettuce will be grown, and there will be increasingly more investments in greenhouse fruits, irrigation equipment, etc.," concludes Zotti.
AgroCultivo
More information:
Altair Antonio Zotti
AgroCultivo
Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil
T: +551236221636
F: +551236221636
E: [email protected]
www.agrocultivo.com.br