The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange (Bage) raised its Argentina wheat production estimate for the second time in less than a month as the 2025-26 harvest reaches its final stages.
The harvest advanced by 8.1 percentage points to nearly 93pc complete in the week through 30 December, Bage reported. It raised its estimate to a record 27.8mn metric tonnes (t) from 27.1mn t two weeks earlier.
Abundant rain last year boosted wheat yields around the country, with Bage, SAGyP, the Rosario Board of Trade (BCR) and the USDA all expecting record production for 2025-26. Argentina's agricultural areas received about 20pc more rain in 2025 than the previous year, with above-average precipitation in every month except January, June and December, BCR said.
Harvesting was finished in most of Argentina's wheat-producing provinces by 30 December, with work in remaining areas in Buenos Aires province moving quickly, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGyP) reported. Yields in the province ranged from 3.2t per hectare (ha) to as high as 9t/ha, the Secretariat said.
Soybean, corn crops in good condition
Soybean planting progressed 6.5 points in the week through 30 December to 82pc complete, with rain in some northern regions slowing work in the fields, Bage said. Soil moisture levels were adequate to optimal in 97pc of the area planted, and 96.1pc of the crop was in normal to good condition.
Soybeans in the west of Buenos Aires province and the north of La Pampa province need more rain as they enter a development stage that requires more water, Bage reported. More than 17pc of early soybeans are in the reproductive stage, and almost 72pc of late soybean planting is finished.
Early soybean planting is nearly complete, with recent good weather helping work advance, SAGyP said. Rain in the past week boosted soil moisture levels in Cordoba province, while slowing planting in Santa Fe province, the Secretariat said.
Corn planting also advanced as the end of the best period for sowing approaches, with progress of 6.5 points to 84.2pc finished, according to Bage. Almost 91pc of the area had adequate to optimal soil moisture levels and 83.1pc of the crop was in good to excellent condition, the Exchange reported.
Barley harvest nearly over
Argentina's barley harvest was nearly finished in all of Buenos Aires province, the country's biggest producer of the grain, SAGyP said. Yields have been above average in much of the province, reaching as high as 7.5t/ha in certain areas, according to SAGyP.
