Rice planting in Rio Grande do Sul reaches 10%, but weather delays progress

Rice sowing in Rio Grande do Sul reached 93.207 hectares this week, which corresponds to 10,13% of the total area estimated for the 2025/26 cycle. According to a survey by the Rio Grande do Sul Rice Institute (Irga), the South Zone is the most advanced region, with 61.973 hectares planted, equivalent to 39,59% of the intention.

According to Luiz Fernando Siqueira, manager of the Department of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Dater), the significant progress in the South region is directly linked to climate conditions, where rainfall has been less intense, favoring field operations.

During the campaign, sowing began to gain momentum, with 1.141 hectares planted (0,84% ​​of the area). Meanwhile, the Western Frontier, the state's largest rice-producing region, is causing concern among technicians and producers. So far, only 5.392 hectares have been planted (1,98% of the planned planting), compared to approximately 35% in the same period last year. The delay is explained by excessive rainfall, which has prevented machinery from entering the fields.

The other regions also show a slow pace. The Central Region records 5.023 hectares sown (4,16%), the Outer Coastal Plain totals 7.070 hectares (7,45%) and the Inner Coastal Plain, 12.608 hectares (8,98%).

October is considered the preferred month for planting the crop, and Irga expects that, from the second half of the month onwards, there will be an improvement in weather conditions that will allow for faster sowing in all regions.