SC Harvest 2025/26: the scenario is challenging for grains.

In the December 2025 Agricultural Bulletin, the Center for Agricultural Economics and Planning of the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina (Epagri-Cepa) compiles updated information on production, prices, climate, and the market. Highlights this month include falling rice prices and a reduction in the area planted with soybeans in the state. 

Rice: falling prices and a challenging outlook for the 2025/26 harvest.

The rice market in Santa Catarina remains pressured by oversupply, weak industrial demand, and difficulties in exports, which has led to producer prices being 52% below 2024 levels and lower than production costs. Even with support measures announced by Conab, the volume is considered insufficient to reverse the situation. Exports from Santa Catarina have fallen by 56% this year, and for the 2025/26 harvest, a reduction in area and productivity is projected, with production estimated at 1,22 million tons, in an environment of high uncertainty for the sector.

Beans: Prices fall due to high supply and ongoing harvest.

Bean prices in Santa Catarina fell in November, with a monthly decrease of 2,32% for carioca beans, quoted at R$ 156,32/sc, and 2,43% for black beans, at R$ 120,63/sc, a value 52,3% lower than that recorded in the same month of 2024. The downward pressure is associated with good product availability, the proximity of the new harvest, the liquidation of stocks by producers and, in the case of carioca beans, the increased supply from the Southwest of São Paulo. In the field, 72% of the first crop area had already been sown by the end of November, with crops mostly in good condition. For the 2025/26 crop season, a 5,5% reduction in planted area is estimated, to 33 hectares, with stable productivity at 2.068 kg/ha and production of 68,2 tons, a 4,8% decrease compared to the previous crop season.

Corn: Prices rebound, but global supply limits gains.

Corn prices in Santa Catarina showed a slight recovery between September and November, with a 0,46% increase in the last month and indications of further increases at the beginning of December, supported by reduced selling activity and a resumption of demand to replenish stocks. Even so, the record harvest in Brazil and the United States continues to put pressure on prices. For 2025/26, a 0,82% increase in cultivated area is projected, with an estimated 11,3% reduction in productivity and a 10,6% drop in production. The planting of the summer crop is complete and, despite irregular weather conditions in the west of the state, crop development is, so far, within a positive outlook.

Soybeans: Prices rebound, but global supply puts pressure on the market.

In November, the average price of soybeans to producers in Santa Catarina registered a 1,5% increase, reaching R$ 125,86/sc, remaining stable at the beginning of December, driven by the strong pace of Brazilian exports during the period. Even so, high production in Latin America and increased global supply of the oilseed are maintaining pressure on prices at the end of the year. For the 2025/26 crop, the initial estimate points to a 1,75% reduction in planted area in the state. Planting of the first crop is practically complete, with crops in vegetative development and conditions generally between good and excellent, despite the occasional water stress caused by high temperatures and periods of drought at the beginning of December.

Bananas: High supply puts pressure on prices and differentiates the scenario between Cavendish and Prata varieties.

Between October and November 2025, banana prices in Santa Catarina fell, mainly driven by the Cavendish banana, which registered a 15,9% devaluation due to increased supply and loss of quality associated with high temperatures, although it still showed an increase in value compared to 2024. For December, further declines are expected, influenced by lower school demand and competition with seasonal fruits. For the Prata banana, the recent devaluation was smaller, and the market projects a price recovery with reduced supply and less competition in the summer. On average, prices fell 13,6% between October and November. For the 2025/26 harvest, a slight reduction of 0,41% in total banana production is estimated, even with an increase in area, predominantly in Northern Santa Catarina, which concentrates more than 85% of the state's production.

Garlic: harvest progresses with good quality and expectations of increased production.

Garlic harvesting in Santa Catarina is progressing well, with approximately 60% of the fields already harvested and the quality considered very good. At this time, there is no record of prices for producers, as sales are expected to begin in January 2026, after the product has cured. At the wholesale level, a 10-kilogram box of high-quality garlic, type 4 or 5, was sold for R$ 183,33, a slight increase of 0,6% compared to the previous month. Estimates indicate an average productivity increase to 11.251 kg/ha, which, combined with a 13,8% expansion of the cultivated area, should result in a 16,7% increase in production, estimated at 8.438 tons. Imports remained practically stable in November, with a 5,9% increase, totaling 4,69 tons, mainly from Argentina, China, Egypt, and Peru.

Onions: prices are firm and production is expected to increase.

Onions from Santa Catarina began being sold to other states in November at a price of R$ 20,00 per 20-kilo sack, a value 8,45% higher than that recorded in the same period of 2024, while in the state's wholesale market the average price was R$ 44,21. The outlook for the 2025/26 harvest remains positive, with expected production of 598 tons and an average yield of 30,8 t/ha, representing an increase of approximately 7,5% compared to the previous harvest, even after isolated reports of hail and flower stalk damage. By the beginning of December, 11% of the area had already been harvested. The harvest may extend until mid-January. In foreign trade, November saw imports of 327 tons from Argentina and Spain.