Brazil has already harvested more than 50% of its soybean crop and sown 80% of its planned area with second-crop corn

Despite heavy February rainfall, Brazil’s soybean harvest in the MY 2025/26 could reach a record level, the National Supply Company (Conab) forecasts.

As of March 12, soybeans have been harvested on 51% of the area (61% last year), the total harvest is estimated at 177.8 million tons (which is in line with the February forecast), and exports could reach a record 114.39 million tons.
According to Conab estimates, the area sown with all crops, including corn and rice, will grow by 1.7% to 83.2 million hectares, the average yield will be 4.25 t/ha, and the total production will be 353.4 million tons.

According to Conab, the most difficult weather conditions were in the Central-West and Southeast regions, particularly in the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais, as well as in most areas of Rio Grande do Sul, while in the north and northeast of the country, excessive rains continue to delay field work.

Due to the delay in sowing the second crop of corn, particularly in the states of Goiás, Maranhão and Minas Gerais, the area under it could decrease to 17.7 million hectares, and production would amount to 108.4 million tons.

Given that 27.4 million tons of first-crop corn were harvested from 4.1 million hectares, the total corn production of the three crops will reach 138.3 million tons.

Rice sowing areas will decrease by 12% to 1.6 million hectares, and production will decrease by 19% to 11.2 million tons, which will be 12.4% lower than the previous season.

According to Conab, as of March 12, 76-82% of the planned area for second-crop corn in Brazil has been sown (83% last year), with planting almost complete in the main producing state of Mato Grosso. Planting is slightly delayed in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, and there are concerns about soil moisture levels in some areas. In the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais and Maranhão, planting areas will be reduced due to delays in soybean harvests caused by prolonged rains.

Despite the delay in sowing, harvest forecasts remain optimistic due to good soil moisture levels in most regions. The forecasted decrease in precipitation intensity in the southern regions but continued rains in the center of the country will contribute to the completion of harvesting and sowing of the new crop.