Goiás is on track for its second-largest corn harvest in history.

After registering a record harvest in 2024/25, Goiás continues to expect a significant corn production in the 2025/26 cycle. The 8th Grain Crop Survey by the National Supply Company (Conab) estimates a harvest of 11,88 million tons in the state, a volume that could position the current season as the second largest in the historical series and keep Goiás among the main grain producers in the country.

According to Conab, Goiás ranks third in corn production and fourth in planted area among Brazilian states, a performance resulting from the work of rural producers in managing crops, paying attention to the planting window, handling, and adopting technologies in the field.

The estimate for the 2025/26 harvest indicates a cultivated area of ​​1,89 million hectares, an average productivity of 6.255 kilograms per hectare, and a production of 11,88 million tons. Despite the decline compared to the record harvest of 2024/25, when Goiás produced 14,26 million tons, the projected volume remains higher than that recorded in 2023/24, which reached 11,33 million tons.

“The expectation of harvesting almost 12 million tons demonstrates the strength of agricultural production in Goiás. Even after a record harvest, producers maintained the planning and investments necessary to sustain a high level of production. Corn plays a strategic role in the state's economy and in various production chains linked to agribusiness,” says the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Seapa), Ademar Leal.

Bioenergy

The growth in corn ethanol production contributes to strengthening the cereal's production chain in Goiás, expanding domestic demand for the grain and adding value within the state. In addition to biofuel, corn processing generates co-products for animal nutrition, such as Distillers Dried Grains (DDGS), used in poultry, swine, and feedlot cattle farming. Goiás' corn ethanol production increased from 190,8 million liters in the 2018/19 harvest to an estimated 782,5 million liters in 2025/26, a growth of more than four times the previous period.

International market

The strengthening of the agribusiness sector is also reflected in the performance of corn derivative exports. Foreign Trade data, available on the Aroeira Platform, managed by Seapa, shows growth in shipments of these products in the first four months of 2026.

In the first four months of the year, the state exported US$15,1 million worth of corn derivatives, compared to US$8,3 million in the same period of 2025, representing an 81,2% increase in the value of goods sold. The volume shipped also increased by 71,5%, rising from 8,7 to 14,9 tons, and the average price per ton increased from US$958,5 to US$1.012,6.

Among the products shipped abroad are corn starch, corn flour, corn oil, prepared sweet corn, and other corn byproducts destined for the food, chemical, and animal nutrition industries. “Diversifying the export portfolio contributes to increasing the added value of corn produced in Goiás, since processed products have a higher market value. In addition to economic gains, this movement generates jobs and strengthens Goiás' presence in international markets,” emphasizes the head of Seapa.