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The 2023/24 season, which promised to be excellent thanks to the return of rains due to the El Niño phenomenon, ended up being hit by the spread of a disease endemic to the north that advanced to the center of the Pampean region. Despite favorable weather conditions, yields in the core region closed at just 8.1 tons/ha, well below the 9.8 t/ha average. As a result, the country lost 18% of its corn crop. In the following season, 2024/25, 2 million hectares less were planted nationwide, mainly affecting the north and center of the country, with a loss of 300,000 ha in the core region alone.
However, corn seems to be returning to its upward trend. The first planting intention survey for the 2025/26 season expects a 10% increase in the core region, which would represent an increase from 1.64 to 1.8 million hectares.
In the last decade, crop expansion was sustained, with the exception of the 2022/23 season (affected by drought) and the 2024/25 season (limited by the leafhopper scare). This year, the outlook is different: concern surrounding the pest has diminished, its populations are actively monitored, and engineers in south-central Santa Fe underscore the availability of effective biological products for its control. In addition, after the recovery of humidity in the profiles, early sowing is expected. In areas with excess water, such as northern Buenos Aires, where wheat may not be planted, many plots will be used for corn or soybeans.
With this 10% increase, the core region would add at least 170,000 ha, making the 2025/26 planting season the third largest in the last 18 years. In this context, production is already projected to reach almost 15 million tons.
June 5, 2025/ Rosario Stock Exchange/ Argentina.
www.bcr.com.ar
