Soybean production in the Brazilian state of Paraná is projected to grow by 4% during the 2026/27 harvest season, with total output expected to reach 22.75 million tons. These figures were released on Thursday by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), under the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (Seab). The expansion is supported by a planned cultivation area of 5.74 million hectares, of which 62% has already been planted. Among the established crops, 88% are reported to be in good condition, while 11% are average and only 1% are in poor condition.
In contrast to the soybean outlook, winter crops are facing a downturn driven by severe weather impacts. Wheat production is estimated at 1.9 million tons, representing a 34% drop compared to the previous period. Larissa Nahirny, coordinator of the Statistics Division at Deral, noted that this season is approximately 30% smaller than the last, with wheat bearing the brunt of the decline. The total grain production for winter crops is estimated at 2.84 million tons, as excessive rainfall during development and harvest reduced both productivity and grain quality.
Specific challenges in wheat cultivation include a 12% reduction in planted area and a drop in productivity to 44 sacks per hectare, down from 54 sacks in the previous cycle. Frequent rains have also compromised cereal quality, potentially limiting the supply of wheat suitable for the baking industry. Nahirny highlighted that the scenario remains difficult for rural producers, as high rainfall volumes are forecasted to continue in the coming months.
Other crops show mixed results across the state. First-crop corn planting has reached 94% of the planned 372,000 hectares, with production estimated at 4.08 million tons and 78% of fields in good condition. Conversely, canola is expected to double its production compared to the previous harvest, driven by an expansion in cultivated area. Vegetable planting lags behind expectations in some sectors; potato cultivation reached only 77% of the target area against a 90% expectation for October, while tomato planting stood at 66% versus a 77% reference. Onion production is estimated at 96,500 tons, marking a 23.3% decrease compared to 2018 levels.
Sources: CNN Brasil.