Brazil grain harvest expected at 361.7 million tons, Conab, led by soybeans, corn and cotton

Brazil is on track to harvest a record 361.7 million metric tons of grains and fibers during the 2025/26 crop year, according to Conab's latest estimate. This increase of 2.6% from the previous season surpasses the August projection. The surge in production is primarily attributed to gains in soybeans, corn, and cotton. The planted area expanded by 1.7% to 83.5 million hectares, with notable growth in soybeans (1.3 million hectares or 2.7%), corn (762,500 hectares or 3.5%), and sorghum (537,000 hectares or 32.9%).

Soybeans, Brazil's flagship crop and major export product, are projected at a record 180.4 million metric tons, up 5.2% from the previous year. The expansion in planted area (2.7%) and yields (2.5%) contributed to this success. Soybean exports are also anticipated to hit a record, with shipments projected at 116.2 million metric tons.

Corn output is estimated at 144 million metric tons, a 2% increase from the prior season. Cotton production is forecast at 4.14 million metric tons, representing the highest volume in history despite a 3.2% decline in planted area. However, bean, rice, and wheat crops are expected to decline, with bean production falling by 3.6% to 2.95 million metric tons and rice production down 13.2% to 11.08 million metric tons. Wheat production is also projected to drop by 27.1% to 5.74 million metric tons.