Excessive rain and dry periods affect the soybean harvest in the South and Midwest

The 2023/24 harvest started out very rainy in southern Brazil and hindered soybean sowing. However, prolonged dry periods combined with high temperatures surprised producers, affecting crop potential. The states most affected by the climate “mess” were Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul.

El Niño also influenced the summer harvest in Brazil in other regions. As traditionally happens in years under the action of the phenomenon, the center-north of the country felt a reduction in rainfall. And it was the largest national producer of soybeans, the most affected state. 

After closing the 2022/23 harvest with an average of 63 bags/hectare, producers in Mato Grosso concluded the season with an average yield between 49 and 52 bags/hectare. Mato Grosso do Sul also felt a lack of rain, but on a smaller scale. Amambai, Naviraí and Fátima do Sul are among the most affected municipalities. The average soybean yield in the center-south of the state was 50 bags/hectare.

Paraná Crops 

In Paraná, average productivity showed wide variations, ranging between 20 and 80 bags/hectare, according to the manager of the cooperative's Agronomic Department, Carlos Konig. In Toledo, Marcelo Paludo (in the photo) completed the harvest of 387 hectares of soybeans from the 2023/24 harvest at the end of February. 

Fifteen days without rain and high temperatures affected earlier varieties, but pests and diseases were controlled preventively and had little effect on the plantation's performance. On the other hand, cultivars with a longer cycle showed significant yields, with up to 91 bags in an area of ​​five hectares. In the end, the average yield of 66 bags/hectare pleased the producer. 

For a harvest with a very irregular climate, the producer considers the performance to be quite satisfactory, as productivity was 23% above that recorded in the previous season.