Agricultural production in the Southern Hemisphere and equatorial regions during early 2025 displayed significant regional variability, influenced by extreme weather events and climatic stressors. The ongoing La Niña phenomenon is anticipated to further disrupt global precipitation patterns, posing substantial risks to agricultural productivity and food security.

Dry-season rice production in equatorial regions showed overall resilience, with increases in both cultivated area and average yields. This resulted in a 2.7% year-on-year rise in total rice production, equivalent to an increase of 2.91 million tons. However, production trends varied markedly across countries. India recorded significant growth in rice output, while several Southeast Asian nations experienced declines in dry-season rice yields, highlighting regional vulnerabilities.

South America's soybean production demonstrated robust growth, increasing by 22.08 million tons (11.4%) compared to the previous year. This expansion is expected to stabilize international soybean prices. Brazil, despite enduring prolonged dry and hot conditions, reported improved soybean yields due to less severe climatic stress compared to 2024. Argentina's production gains were primarily driven by an expansion in planting area, although La Niña-related climatic challenges partially offset yield potential.

Maize production in the Southern Hemisphere faced significant constraints, with both planting area and average yields declining slightly. Total maize output fell by 16.84 million tons (11.1%) year-on-year, raising concerns over tighter global supply and potential upward pressure on international maize prices. Southern Africa, in particular, continued to grapple with high temperatures and insufficient rainfall, exacerbating food insecurity risks in the region.

In the Northern Hemisphere, winter wheat remains in dormancy; however, an anomalously warm winter across Eurasia could accelerate the onset of spring planting. This shift, while potentially beneficial for early crop development, also increases the risks of pest outbreaks, disease incidence, and late frost damage, which may compromise crop establishment and early growth stages.