RS Harvest 2025/26: Soybean production grows 32,9%

The harvest of the main summer crops is practically complete in Rio Grande do Sul, allowing Emater/RS to revise the figures for the 2025/26 harvest. Although total grain production has recovered compared to the previous cycle, especially in soybeans and corn, the results fell short of initial projections for some crops due to the weather conditions recorded throughout the season.

Soybeans, the state's main agricultural crop, had their average productivity revised to 2.707 kilograms per hectare, a result 14,8% lower than the initial estimate of 3.180 kg/ha. With a cultivated area of ​​6,69 million hectares, 1,5% smaller than in the previous harvest, production reached 18,13 million tons, a volume 32,9% higher than that recorded in 2024/25, when drought severely compromised yields.

According to Emater/RS, the high relative humidity, frequent fog, and periods of low sunshine made it difficult to complete the harvest in the remaining areas. The results also showed great regional variability, reflecting the different water conditions faced by the crops during the cycle.

Corn maintains high productivity.

In the corn sector, the harvest has reached 98% of the cultivated area, estimated at 812,5 hectares, a 13,1% increase compared to the previous cycle. The average state productivity was revised to 7.362 kg/ha, practically stable compared to the initial projection of 7.376 kg/ha.

With this, the corn production in Rio Grande do Sul is estimated at 5,98 million tons, a volume 13,1% higher than that obtained in the last harvest. The areas not yet harvested are concentrated in crops sown in the final period of the Agricultural Zoning of Climatic Risk (Zarc), mainly on small farms.

Corn silage production declines.

The harvest of corn destined for silage has already surpassed 99% of the cultivated area. In some regions, areas initially intended for grain production were converted to silage after damage caused by frost.

Average productivity was revised to 36,9 tons per hectare, a 3,8% reduction compared to the initial estimate. With an area of ​​349 hectares, total production was estimated at 12,87 million tons, 0,7% lower than the previous harvest.

Bean cultivation area decreases.  

In the first bean harvest, the average productivity was revised to 1.726 kg/ha, 3% below the initial projection. The cultivated area decreased by 22,3%, totaling 23,9 hectares. The estimated production is 41,3 tons, a 26,3% reduction compared to the previous cycle.

The second crop has already had 85% of its areas harvested. Productivity has been revised to 1.414 kg/ha, slightly higher than the initial forecast, but the sharp reduction in cultivated area — 45,7% compared to the previous crop — should result in a production of 13,9 tons, a decrease of 37,2%.

Rice prices fall after record harvest.

During the off-season, the area effectively planted with rice was 891,9 hectares, according to data from the Rio Grande do Sul Rice Institute (Irga), representing an 8,1% reduction compared to the previous cycle.

Average productivity was estimated at 8.703 kg/ha, resulting in a production of 7,76 million tons. This volume represents a decrease of 11,4% compared to the 8,76 million tons harvested in 2025.

Winter crops are advancing in the State.

While summer crops are coming to an end, farmers in Rio Grande do Sul are moving forward with planting winter crops.

Wheat sowing has gained momentum in recent weeks, favored by soil moisture conditions and the forecast of rain. Despite the good initial establishment of the crops, a reduction in the cultivated area is expected compared to the previous harvest, due to credit restrictions, high production costs, and weather uncertainties.

The planting of white oats is also nearing completion in most producing regions. The crops show good initial development, with a low incidence of pests and diseases.

In canola, planting is entering its final phase and should be completed in the coming days. The crop maintains prospects for significant expansion of the cultivated area, driven by the economic results obtained in recent years and by producers' search for alternatives to diversify winter production systems.

Barley, on the other hand, presents the opposite scenario. Sowing is practically complete, and the expectation is for a reduction of more than 30% in the cultivated area compared to the previous cycle, reflecting producers' concerns about climate risks and the crop's sensitivity to adverse conditions during the winter and spring.