Brazil will continue to expand its soybean plantings to record levels in the 2025/26 season

According to the first study conducted by the Brazilian National Supply Company (Conab), Brazil’s total cereal production in 2025-26 is projected to reach 354.7 million tons, up 0.8% from the previous season, thanks to an increase in planted area.

In a report dated October 14, the state-owned company reported that the soybean harvest for the new season is forecast to reach 177.6 million tons, up from the 171.5 million tons recorded in 2024-25, with an expected planted area increasing by 3.3% to 49.1 million hectares.

Corn plantings are also expected to expand, potentially reaching 22.7 million hectares, with the expected three-season harvest totaling 138.6 million tons. In a previous report, Conab estimated corn production in 2024–2025 at 139.7 million tonnes.

Conab’s initial forecasts for the soybean crop and global demand in 2025–2026 suggest that Brazil will remain the world’s largest oilseed exporter, potentially exceeding 112.11 million tonnes. Projected increases in biodiesel blending and growing demand for plant-based protein indicate that soybean crushing volumes could reach 59.56 million tonnes in 2026.

Conab also forecasts significant growth in corn exports, with shipments reaching 46.5 million tonnes in 2025–2026, up from 40 million tonnes in the previous year. Domestic consumption is also expected to increase from 90.5 million tonnes to 94.5 million tonnes, driven primarily by rising ethanol demand.

As for rice, the first estimate projects production in 2025-2026 at 11.5 million tonnes, with a 5.6% reduction in planted area to 1.66 million hectares. Irrigated crops are expected to decline by 3.7%, while rainfed areas are expected to decline by 12.5%.

With approximately 40% of the wheat harvest already harvested, the 2025 production forecast is 7.7 million tonnes, 2.4% lower than the 2024 harvest. Conab stated that the expected decline in wheat production, the main winter crop, is due to a 19.9% ​​reduction in planted area, “due to less favorable growing conditions at the time the decision to proceed with the current harvest was made.”

It was previously reported that the growth of soybean acreage in Brazil is slowing and will increase by only 1.5% in the 2025/2026 season, indicating that the country’s agro-industrial complex is entering a new phase of development.

Tags: Brazil, soybean, sown area