The effect of land cost in the forest profitability: a case study for Santa Catarina

Abstract

This research aimed to ascertain the impact of land cost land on profitability of Pinus spp. timber production. The forestry sector has as key feature to generate financial returns in the long term, often making the investment activity in a large barrier to new business. The price of land is a variable that depends on the return of forest activity, making it necessary to know the effect that the cost of this resource will have on profitability. In order to estimate return on forest activity, it uses economic criteria, like Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The results proved to be more attractive the non-acquisition of land, with NPV of US$ 5.5804,00 and IRR of 18% per year. Considering the investment in land (purchase or lease), the economic results have suffered reduction with NPV of US$ 3.711,00 and IRR of 11% per year. The lease of land presented a NPV of US$ 3.531,00 and IRR of 13% per year. But, before using such criteria as the only decision making, other factors must be evaluated as to obtain the income of the legal reserve, the better level of use of land and a proper forest management, aiming to increase revenue with the acquisition of new products and increased production of forests.