Brazil Sees 366.6 Million Tonne Grain Crop as Corn Area Expands

Brazil's 2026 and 2027 grain crop could reach 366.6 million tonnes, according to the country's National Supply Company, Conab. If realised, the total would be 1.4 percent above the previous season and would establish a new record in the agency's series.

The increase is being driven more by land area than yield. Conab projects 85.3 million hectares of grains, while average national productivity is expected to ease from 4,335 kilograms per hectare in 2025 and 2026 to 4,296 kilograms per hectare in the new cycle.

Corn expands while soybean area growth slows

First crop corn area is projected to rise 10.7 percent to 4.54 million hectares, with production potentially reaching 32.1 million tonnes. Second crop corn area is also expected to expand, and total corn production is projected near 148 million tonnes.

Soybean production is forecast at 181.64 million tonnes. Planted area is projected at about 49.3 million hectares, an increase of 1.4 percent. Conab says that would be the smallest percentage expansion in soybean area in roughly two decades.

Brazil can increase aggregate grain output even with slightly lower average yields if area expands enough. Weather through the planting and development calendar will determine how much of the projected volume is ultimately realised.

Image credit: Uaequals42 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 3.0.