Record rainfall in May 2024 has unleashed devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, wreaking havoc on the country’s agricultural and livestock sectors. The deluge has demolished food storage facilities, stalled harvests, and damaged soils, severely disrupting farming operations.

Governor Eduardo Leite described the rainfall as one of the worst climate disasters in the state’s history. The floods have particularly impacted Brazil’s soy, rice, and corn production. Rio Grande do Sul, a major contributor to Brazil’s agricultural output, saw significant portions of its crops destroyed or compromised.

Joana Colussi, a researcher at the University of Illinois, noted that much of the soy and rice crops would rot or yield lower than expected. The USDA reported that 4 to 20 percent of the state’s soybean crop remains unharvested, and only 84 percent of rice crops were harvested before the rains began.

The livestock sector has also suffered substantial losses, with reports of 12,600 pigs perishing and at least $5 million in losses from the poultry industry due to the floods. Julia Catão Dias from the Institute for Consumer Protection highlighted that family farms were hit hardest, losing not only crops and equipment but also their homes.

The flooding has caused significant damage to infrastructure, obstructing roads and railways, which hampers the transport of crops and livestock. Rumo, a major railway operator, suspended services to key ports, leading to export bottlenecks.

The National Confederation of Municipalities estimated losses of over $245 million in the agricultural and livestock sectors. This disaster is expected to drive up food prices domestically and impact global markets, given Brazil’s prominent role as an agricultural exporter.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged support for victims and emphasized the need for the country to better prepare for climate change and extreme weather events. The long-term impact on Brazil’s agriculture remains uncertain, but the immediate effects are profound and far-reaching.