Embraer, a leading aircraft manufacturer based in Brazil, anticipates a record-breaking year for its agricultural aircraft, the Ipanema, following a successful 2023. The company's optimism is fueled by the robust performance of Brazil's agricultural sector. The Ipanema aircraft, primarily used for crop-dusting operations, enjoys considerable popularity among Brazilian farmers. Brazil is a global leader in the production of key agricultural commodities such as soybeans, corn, sugarcane, and coffee. The country is projected to harvest over 300 million metric tons of grains in the 2023/24 season.
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In a statement, Embraer revealed that it expects to deliver 70 units of the Ipanema aircraft in 2024, a significant increase from the 65 units delivered in the previous year. This figure surpasses the previous record of 67 units delivered in 2011. The anticipated delivery volume for 2024 reflects the aircraft's strong market performance, which has been on an upward trajectory since 2020. This was the year Embraer introduced the EMB-203 model of the Ipanema aircraft, which operates on ethanol.
Each unit of the Ipanema aircraft carries a list price of 3.6 million reais (equivalent to $741,412). Embraer foresees 2024 as a landmark year for the aircraft, with deliveries expected to reach an all-time high following a record sales year. The company noted that it received orders for 70 units in 2023, an increase from the 66 units ordered the previous year. Sany Onofre, who oversees Embraer's Ipanema program, expressed satisfaction with the aircraft's contribution to Brazil's agribusiness sector. Agribusiness plays a crucial role in Brazil's economy, accounting for approximately a quarter of the country's GDP. It was instrumental in enabling Brazil's economy to exceed market predictions and achieve a growth rate of around 3% in 2023, as per estimates from the central bank. The country's economy is projected to grow by 1.7% in the current year.
The sales and delivery figures for the Ipanema aircraft, which can dust up to 200 hectares (or 494 acres) per hour, are not included in Embraer's sales and order backlog report for commercial and business jets. The company has yet to release this report for 2023. The Ipanema aircraft, first launched in the 1970s, reached a significant milestone in December when Embraer delivered its 1,600th unit. Approximately 1,100 of these aircraft are still in operation today. This enduring presence underscores the Ipanema's pivotal role in supporting Brazil's thriving agricultural sector.