Rainfall disrupts Brazil’s soybean harvest, but output remains record-high

Despite excessive rainfall in February hampering Brazil’s soybean harvest, the crop for the 2025/26 marketing year remains on track for record levels, according to the National Supply Company (Conab). As of March 12, about 51% of soybeans had been harvested, with total production projected at 177.8 million tonnes, in line with previous forecasts.

The total output of all crops, including corn and rice, is expected to reach 353.4 million tonnes, unchanged from the February report. The planted area is estimated to grow 1.7% to 83.2 million hectares, while the national average yield for all crops is projected at 4,250 kg per hectare.

Conab noted that February was particularly challenging in the Central-West and Southeast regions, especially in Goiás and Minas Gerais, as well as in much of Rio Grande do Sul. Excessive rainfall in the North and Northeast has also delayed fieldwork at the beginning of March.

Soybean exports are expected to reach a record 114.39 million tonnes in 2026 if projections hold, marking a new high for the country. The heavy rains also delayed planting of the second corn crop, with some states such as Goiás, Maranhão, and Minas Gerais indicating reductions in planted area.

The second corn crop is expected to cover 17.7 million hectares with a projected output of 108.4 million tonnes, while the first corn crop is forecast at 4.1 million hectares and 27.4 million tonnes. Total corn production for all three crops is projected at 138.3 million tonnes. Rice harvesting has reached 19%, with production expected at 11.2 million tonnes, down 12.4% year-on-year due to a 12% reduction in planted area to 1.6 million hectares.

Tags: Brazil, soybean, harvesting