During the monitoring period, rainfall replenishment improved markedly across most agricultural areas of Argentina. National cumulative rainfall reached 120 mm, 19% above the 15-year average (15YA), reversing the earlier persistent dry conditions. Mean temperature was 14.7°C, 1.4°C above the 15YA, which accelerated crop maturity and dry-down. Radiation conditions were close to average. The adverse effects of earlier moisture deficits on biomass accumulation were partly alleviated during the harvest period. However, above-average temperatures may have shortened the grain-filling duration of some late-planted maize.

For soybean, the planting area reached 18.177 million hectares this season, 2.74% lower than last season. The reduction was mainly due to insufficient soil moisture before sowing, which weakened planting intentions in marginal areas. However, average yield recovered strongly from 2.269 t/ha last season to 2.6785 t/ha, an increase of 18.05%, making yield recovery the key feature of the season. This improvement was supported by better moisture conditions during the critical growth stages and relatively limited heat stress, with pod number and 100-seed weight both above normal levels. Driven by yield recovery, total soybean production reached 48.687 million tonnes, 6.279 million tonnes higher than last season, representing an increase of 14.81% and reaching an above-average level for the past decade. Overall, the increase in soybean production was entirely driven by yield recovery rather than area expansion.

For maize, the planting area reached 8.061 million hectares, slightly lower than last season by 0.38%. The area remained generally stable, with only minor reductions in marginal production zones. Average yield showed a pattern of early-season drought followed by later moisture recovery, increasing slightly from 6.5240 t/ha last season to 6.5375 t/ha, up by 0.21%. Drought during the vegetative growth stage constrained yield potential, but improved soil moisture during grain filling and above-average temperatures during the harvest period promoted crop dry-down. As a result, final kernel weight and test weight were better than earlier expectations. Total maize production reached 52.699 million tonnes, about 0.093 million tonnes lower than last season, a marginal decrease of 0.18%, indicating that maize production remained essentially stable at a high level.

For the two major crops combined, soybean production increased by about 6.28 million tonnes, while maize production remained nearly unchanged. As a result, national grain and oilseed production increased by approximately 6.18 million tonnes compared with last season, reflecting the resilience of Argentina’s agricultural production under the current La Niña event. Vegetation growth dynamics showed that crop vigor during the peak growth period was above the recent five-year average, followed by a normal decline during the late-season harvest stage, with no signs of premature senescence or rapid deterioration.

Overall, the increase in soybean production this season provides an effective supplement to global soybean supply, while maize production remains stable at a high level and supports South American export expectations. Continued attention should be paid to harvest progress and international price fluctuations, as well as potential reversals in rainfall patterns during the next planting season.

Figure 2.1 Argentina major crop type map in 2026