SC 2024/25 Harvest: Wheat prices drop

July saw further losses for Santa Catarina wheat producers. The average price of a 60-kg bag closed at R$75,26, a 0,75% drop compared to June. Since May, prices have been declining, influenced by the off-season and competition from imported grain, especially from Argentina.

In the field, planting for the 2025/26 harvest has already been completed across 100% of the state's planned area, estimated at 101,5 hectares, a 17,5% reduction compared to the previous cycle. According to a survey by Epagri/Cepa, crops are in good condition in 98% of the areas assessed, with the vegetative development phase predominating (99%). Average productivity is expected to reach 3.545 kg/ha, resulting in a production of 359,8 tons, which represents 16,77% less than the previous harvest.

According to João Rogério Alves, Socioeconomic and Rural Development Analyst at Epagri/Cepa, the decline in planted area reflects a lack of incentives given low prices. "Many producers prioritize soybeans and corn as their main crops, with wheat being used as a second crop to help conserve soil and generate additional revenue. But this season, margins are quite tight," he explained.

João explains that the abundant supply in the international market is also a factor. The Argentine harvest, considered voluminous, has placed wheat on the Brazilian market at more competitive prices, further pressuring domestic prices. "Besides the global supply, the falling dollar reduces the competitiveness of exports, which limits the room for the grain to appreciate in the domestic market," emphasizes the analyst.

Crop development is expected to continue as normal, helped by weather conditions, but with no prospect of a significant price recovery in the coming months. 

The bulletin is a monthly publication of Epagri's Center for Socioeconomics and Agricultural Planning (Cepa) and provides updated data on production, prices, climate, and the market, serving as a barometer for Santa Catarina's agribusiness. Check out the highlights of the August 2025 Agricultural Bulletin:

2024/25 bean harvest grows 14%

In July, bean producers in Santa Catarina faced another price decline. Carioca beans fell 8,42%, closing at R$145,39 per bag, and black beans saw a slight reduction of 0,14%, to R$124,45, 14,19% lower than in the same month of 2024. In the first days of August, the downward trend continued for black beans, while carioca beans showed a slight recovery.

Despite the low price scenario, the 2024/25 harvest ended with a positive result. Total production reached 129 tons, 14% higher than the previous harvest, driven by the strong performance of the first harvest, which offset the decline in the second.

Record corn harvest contrasts with falling prices

In July, corn prices paid to Santa Catarina producers fell 3,9%, driven by the harvest of Brazil's second crop, but in the first ten days of August, they have already recovered 1,4% compared to the previous month's average. Globally, prices continue to be influenced by expectations of a robust harvest in the United States and rising inventories, according to the USDA's August report, which is keeping pressure on futures prices.

In Santa Catarina, production grew 25% to 2,7 million tons, with an average yield of 9,4 tons per hectare, the highest ever recorded in the state. Even with the reduction in cultivated area, the result was historic, but prices remain depressed due to high supply in the domestic and international markets.

Soybean prices react in August

In July, the average soybean price paid to producers in Santa Catarina fell 0,6%, closing at R$122,36 per 60-kilogram bag, but in the first ten days of August it has already shown a recovery, with a preliminary price of R$123,11. Price formation in the period has been influenced by the record harvest in Brazil, the USDA's revision that reduced global production and stocks, in addition to geopolitical and trade factors.

In Santa Catarina, the 2024/25 harvest showed significant progress: planted area increased 2,3% to 829,8 hectares, while average productivity grew 16% to 3.946 kilograms per hectare. This brought total production to 3,3 million tons, an 18,59% increase over the previous harvest.

Garlic prices drop at wholesale prices 

August began with a 10,27% drop in the wholesale price of Class 4-5 garlic, which was sold at R$21,75/kg, a move expected with the arrival of production from the Center of the country. In Santa Catarina, the crop has already been fully planted, and the crops are in good to very good condition, with an estimated production of 7,57 tons.

In the foreign market, between January and July, Brazil imported 109,18 tons of garlic, 3,18% more than in the same period in 2024. In July alone, imports totaled 10,48 tons, a 31,27% decrease compared to June. China remains the main supplier, accounting for 78,76% of the volume, followed by Argentina (15,34%), Egypt (5,23%), and Spain (0,66%). The average FOB price was US$1,18/kg, a 25% decrease compared to the previous month. 

Planting of the new onion crop progresses

At wholesale level, onions were sold in July at R$57,02 per 20-kilo bag, a 10,73% drop compared to June, when the price was R$63,88. Supply has remained high in the domestic market since the beginning of the year, with producers in the Cerrado and Northeast receiving between R$0,90 and R$1,60 per kilo.

In Santa Catarina, planting for the 2025/26 harvest has already reached 72% of the estimated 19.480-hectare area, with a notable increase in the use of direct seeding in the Upper Itajaí Valley, a practice associated with labor shortages. Crops are progressing well, with 92% of the area rated as good or very good. Brazil imported 136,46 tons of onions between January and July, 45,98% less than in the same period in 2024.

In July alone, 2,47 tons were supplied, at a cost of US$0,45 million, with an average FOB price of US$0,18/kg. Argentina was the main supplier (93,7%), followed by Chile (4,2%) and New Zealand (2,1%).