Record performance drives new corn cycle in SC

After several years of decline in cultivated area, the 2025/26 corn crop in Santa Catarina begins with signs of recovery. The initial estimate points to a 0,83% increase in planted area compared to the previous cycle. The projected average productivity is 8.735 kilograms per hectare, which could represent the second-best performance in the historical series, since the last harvest was exceptional in terms of yield.

Even with slightly lower expected productivity, total production should reach 2,25 million tons, a volume lower than the last cycle, but still considered positive. To date, about 60% of the planned area has already been sown in the state. Regular rainfall has favored germination, but persistent cold and low sunlight have delayed plant development in the vegetative phase.

Haroldo Tavares Elias, a Socioeconomic and Rural Development analyst at Epagri/Cepa, highlights that the recovery of the corn acreage in Santa Catarina is directly linked to the good performance of the crops in the 2024/25 harvest. “We had a record productivity of 9,7 t/ha in the first harvest, the best in the historical series in Santa Catarina. The climatic conditions were very favorable and the incidence of the leafhopper was significantly reduced,” he explains.

The market shows stability. 

In the market, the scenario remains one of stabilization with a slight upward bias in prices, despite the large supply from the second Brazilian crop and the harvest in the United States. A more consistent recovery in prices will depend on the pace of exports and domestic demand for animal feed and ethanol production.

According to the analyst, prices also contributed to the positive result. "Prices remained favorable until the beginning of April, even exceeding R$70 per sack. With the confirmation of good harvests in Brazil, Argentina, and especially the United States, there was a decline—in July and August prices fell to around R$60, a level that has remained to this day," he adds.

Area of ​​corn for silage grows

Regarding corn destined for silage, a 1,03% increase in cultivated area is expected. As of October 10th, approximately 63% of the estimated crops had already been planted. Although the agroclimatic zoning allowed sowing to begin in August in the far west and south of Santa Catarina, the low temperatures and low sunlight in September and early October delayed planting and the initial development of the crops.