High-temperature grain drying: an economic analysis applied to Brazilian conditions
Antônio José Steidle Neto, Pricila Araújo Santana, Daniela de Carvalho Lopes
Abstract
Grain drying is one of the most important steps of postharvest handling. Among the artificial drying methods, the high-temperature drying is the fastest, less energy consuming and less dependent on local climate, but also more expensive. A detailed methodology for economic analysis of high-temperature grain drying, involving the main variables that affect its profitability, is presented and tested. The proposed methodology is based on the cash flow model and was tested considering Brazilian market conditions, comprising 42 simulated scenarios. The performed economic analysis can be easily adapted to other grains, countries, furnace fuels, and drying capacities as well. Results showed that all of the simulated scenarios were economically feasible provided that at least five drying cycles are performed per year. Labor, social taxes, grain type and drying capacity most affected the economic feasibility of this kind of investment, while the furnace fuel did not influence the evaluated economic indices.