Spatial distribution and growth sources of dairy cattle raising in Paraná State

Abstract

The state of Parana has historically been one of the most important milk producing states in Brazil, and has been expanding its share in the national milk production in recent decades. That being said, this paper aims to measure and analyze the performance and spatial distribution of dairy cattle from the period 1990 to 2015, in the microregions level. For that, it is measured: the degree of specialization of the Parana microregions in the milk activity; the spatial concentration of the milk activity in the Parana state; and the sources of growth of the milk production in the Parana microregions and in the Parana state. The results allowed the identification of eight microregions highly specialized in milk production during the analyzed period, emphasizing the Ponta Grossa microregion. There was also an increase in the spatial concentration of milk production in the Parana state over the studied period (1990-2015). It has been possible to verify that the Parana state presented an annual growth rate of milk production higher than the national average throughout the analyzed period, and this growth is due more to the gains of productivity (intensive growth) than to the increase of the number of milking cows (extensive growth). The results of the study may be useful in guiding the formulation of public policies aimed at further strengthening dairy activity in Paraná and consolidating the position of the state in the national scenario of milk production.