Twenty-seven cities in the Ivaí Valley, northern Paraná, emerge as the poultry production hub in the state. Birds are second only to soybeans when it comes to generating wealth. According to the Gross Production Value (VBP), an indicator that sums up the municipalities' gains in agriculture, shows that R$ 3.32 was achieved in that region, billions being 23.2% or R$ 771 million from poultry farming.
Apucarana: Poultry farming and quail eggs
Of the 27 cities, 17 are involved in poultry farming, and in 8 the activity ranks first in the VBP. In six, it is second in the index and, in another three, the activity is in third place.
Apucarana is the city with the highest value generated. There were almost R$ 117.7 million in 2017. The city has 3 million birds housed and production of more than 15.5 thousand tons per year.
Apucarana is the city with the highest value generated. There were almost R$ 117.7 million in 2017. The city has 3 million birds housed and production of more than 15.5 thousand tons per year.
In the production of quail eggs, the municipality achieved more than 106.4 million units produced and in the production of chicken eggs, R$ 134 thousand through the production of 648 thousand units. The city's entire poultry industry is equivalent to 42.3% of the city's entire VBP.
Arapongas: Meat and egg production
Arapongas is the city where poultry farming occupies the highest percentage of the total VBP. In 2017, the municipality generated R$ 347 million in the countryside, with 52.5%, or R$ 182 million, derived from poultry farming. With a herd of 1.8 million heads, the municipality produced around 11 thousand tons of poultry meat.
In addition to poultry farming, the city is the largest egg producer in Paraná. In 2017, the 422.6 million eggs generated R$ 87.3 million. Laying hen aviaries have existed in the municipality for more than 50 years, adapting to technologies over the years.
Poultry bedding
As it does not take up much space, the aviary can be maintained alongside other activities on the property. Poultry litter, a material that results from production, previously without commercial value, can now be used as fertilizer in plantations and can be sold to biofertilizer companies, adding more commercial value to the activity.
For the head of the Regional Center of the State Secretariat for Agriculture and Supply (SEAB), Mário Bezerra Guimarães, poultry farming has the potential to grow even further in the region. “We have several slaughterhouses in nearby cities, which facilitates transportation and reduces costs. There is also the vocation of the region itself, which has a predominance of smaller properties. As aviaries don’t take up much space, they are an excellent option,” he says.
According to him, there is fundamental importance in advancing poultry farming in the region. “Poultry farming increases rural production and generates income for rural people. This has not only economic but also social repercussions, contributing to the reduction of rural exodus and also providing decent jobs for this population”, he highlights.
