Argentina Record Corn Harvest in 2025/26
The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is experiencing a new collapse: the Merval index has fallen 31.8% in pesos and more than 50% in dollars by September 9th, its worst performance since 2008. This instability is compounded by the pressure on the exchange rate, with the dollar already nearing the limit of the exchange rate band, even with the Milei government tightening controls. (Buenos Aires Stock Exchange)
Secretary of Agriculture Sergio Iraeta had a meeting with Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro. A key topic of the agenda was Argentina’s proposal to adopt a regionalization protocol for poultry trade, which would restrict sanitary barriers only to areas affected by Newcastle Disease and/or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, thus maintaining bilateral exports. The agenda also included progress on the use of the electronic phytosanitary certificate and mutual recognition agreements for crop protection products, veterinary medicines, and organic goods, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and export costs. (Secretariat of Agriculture)
The Rosario Stock Exchange projects a record corn harvest in 2025/26, estimated at 61 million tonnes, with a 16.8% expansion in planted area. Soybean production is expected to decline to 16.4 million hectares (-7%), with production expected at 47 million tonnes. For wheat, excessive rainfall since July has had distinct regional effects, but production could exceed 20 million tonnes. (BCR)
Argentina’s 2026 budget projects revenues of US$ 63.5 billion, an increase of 22.5%, while agricultural exports will continue to be taxed at US$ 6.8 billion. Milei made no direct mention of the sector in his speech, prompting the Argentine Rural Society to call for investments in infrastructure and connectivity to stimulate production and jobs. (SRA)
Record of 70.01 million tonnes in Foreign Sales Declarations through August 2025, surpassing the historical maximum of 66.39 million and almost 10 million above the average for the last five years. The agro-industrial sector generated US$ 21.34 billion in the period, 32% more than in 2024. (CIARA-CEC)
Grow Farms made its first alfalfa export to Ghana, with plans to expand to Nigeria. The process, which took six months, is part of the strategy to position Argentine fodder in demanding markets. The company acts as the sole international seller, managing production, quality, logistics, and financing, and exported more than 35,000 tonnes last year. (Grow Farms)
Farmers who participated in the CONSERV, a project that pays rural landowners to preserve areas of native vegetation beyond the legal reserve, continue to do it even after the end of the first phase payments. Between 2020 and 2024, the initiative protected more than 27,000 hectares of surplus land in the Cerrado and Amazon biomes. This success demonstrated that financial compensation can reduce deforestation and pave the way for expanding the model, reconciling agricultural production and environmental conservation. The project is led by the Amazon Environmental Research Institute. (IPAM)
After a drop of 15% in frozen chicken prices since May, the poultry sector is betting on the resumption of exports to China, suspended after a case of bird flu in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. China’s absence has particularly affected sales of chicken feet, previously sold at US$ 3/kg to the Asian country. From January to August, Brazil exported 3.394 million tonnes of chicken meat (-1.1%), with revenue of US$ 6.308 billion (-0.2%). (Cepea; APA)
Brazilian exports of instant and specialty coffee to the US fell in August following the US tariff hike. Instant coffee exports fell 59.9% compared to August of 2024, while specialty coffee exports fell 79.5%. “Many contracts have been suspended, canceled or postponed at the request of American importers, as the 50% tariff on Brazilian specialty coffees makes these deals virtually unfeasible due to extremely high prices”, said Carmem Lucia de Brito, president of the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association. (ABICS; BSCA)
Corn production in 2025/26 could reach 142.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.75% compared to the previous harvest. This increase is driven by a 3% expansion in the summer corn area, which is expected to yield 25.5 million tonnes and by the expectation of stability in the second harvest, projected at 101.2 million tonnes, a record volume. Total corn area is expected to reach 21.6 million hectares, an increase of 1.4%. (Safras & Mercado)
Brazilian agribusiness exports to the US fell 17.6% in August, to US$ 765 million. The largest reductions happened in fresh beef (-46.2%) and processed beef (-33%). Meanwhile, shipments to China increased 32.9%, reaching US$5.12 billion, with highlights for green coffee (+131.8%), beef (+89.8%), and sugar (+20.3%). (MAPA)
The climate phenomenon known as the “Madden-Julian oscillation” is expected to alter Brazil’s weather patterns starting in the 2H of September, triggering rainfall in areas with more than 100 days of drought. The phenomenon increases atmospheric instability in the tropics and can trigger thunderstorms, as well as increasing the risk of extratropical cyclones in the South. Irregular rainfall is expected across most of the country, favoring the start of soybean planting in the Center-West region. (MetSul)
Grupo SADA will invest US$ 210 million in two flex plants [capable of processing either corn or sugarcane] for ethanol production in Jaíba, in the State of Minas Gerais, and Montes Claros de Goiás, in the State of Goiás. The projects include self-generation of energy and the production of co-products such as DDGS and corn oil, with operations scheduled to begin between 2026 and 2027. (Grupo SADA)
Between January and August 2025, Chilean nut exports grew by 45%, totaling more than US$ 339 million, with highlights to Italy, Germany, Turkey, India and Spain standing out, as well as new markets in Central America and the Caribbean. Chile has consolidated its position as the second-largest exporter of nuts in shell and the third-largest exporter of shelled nuts. (Nueces del Sur)
In 2024, Colombia’s banana sector was marked by low profitability and climate challenges, but now banana exports are showing clear signs of recovery. In the 1H25, exports increased 22% when compared to 1H24. The USA has emerged as a strategic destination, with strong demand growth, while the European Union continues to pressure the sector with new environmental and social requirements. The industry is calling for government support to remain competitive. (Asbama)
FAO confirms Mexico as the global leader in the avocado market, being the world’s largest producer and exporter, ahead of Colombia and Peru. The US and the European Union remain the main destinations, while new opportunities are emerging in China, South Korea, India, and the Middle East. (FAO)
Paraguay exported 5.4 million tonnes of soybeans by August, 1.4 million fewer than in the same period in 2024. Despite the decline, there was progress in domestic industrialization, with an increase in oil and meal shipments. This reflects the strategy of adding value in the face of falling international soybean prices. (Capeco)
Lemon exports increased 19% in volume by August of 2025, despite a decline in value. The global citrus crisis has created a market for Peruvian limes, particularly Tahiti limes. The sector faces challenges from pests and trade barriers, but global demand for healthy, organic foods favors its potential for international consolidation. (FreshFruit)
First shipment of pecan nuts to China, with 25 tonnes certified by the National Agricultural Health Service. The opening of this market, achieved in 2024, allows exports of shelled and unshelled pecans and expands opportunities for family farming. Peru currently has over 3,700 hectares of cultivation and already has access to 32 international destinations. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Area planted with rice in the 2025/26 season is expected to fall by 8% to 10%, reaching approximately 165,000 hectares. The decline is explained by lower international prices, high diesel costs, and water constraints in dams, among other factors. Last season, the country achieved a record production of 1.7 million tonnes with an average yield of 9.4 tonne/hectare. (ACA)
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