The summer soybean harvest is nearing its end, with 82% already harvested in Paraná.

The harvest of the 2025-2026 summer soybean crop is nearing completion, with 82% of the 5.77 million hectares already harvested, according to... Subjective Crop Forecast (SCF) released on Thursday (26) by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply. The estimated production is 21.88 million tons.

Regarding the first corn crop, Deral analyst Edmar Gervasio highlights the high productivity. According to him, it is the first time in many years that the state has registered an increase in area for the first crop. It's a significant gain, with 25% more compared to the previous crop. "In addition to this increase in area, we had an increase in productivity, which is somewhat abnormal, because when the area increases, the tendency is for a lower average productivity," he explains.

In the case of the first corn crop, Deral analyst Edmar Gervasio highlights the high productivity – Photo: Jaelson Lucas/AEN

“If things continue like this, by the end of the first harvest cycle we should be harvesting 3.8 million tons, which means an average productivity of over 11,000 kilos per hectare. That would be the highest average in history, surpassing the previous record of 10,800 kilos,” projects Gervasio.

With the approach of winter planting, the scenario points to strategic changes in land use for other crops. According to Deral, barley stands out as the protagonist. Driven by strong demand from the malt industry and excellent absorption of the previous harvest, the barley area should grow by 14%, jumping to 118,000 hectares in 2026. If productivity is maintained, the state could exceed the mark of half a million tons of the cereal. Wheat, on the other hand, should cede 6% of its area, mainly to second-crop corn.

Economic Bulletin

Deral also released this Thursday the Economic BulletinThe report paints a picture of resilience in major crops and absolute hegemony in animal protein production. It highlights that Paraná's agricultural sector ends March consolidating historical milestones: the state reaffirms its position as the largest protein powerhouse in Brazil, completing 19 consecutive years of national leadership in meat production.

The 2025 performance, consolidated by the IBGE Quarterly Survey, projects a tranquil 2026 at the top of the ranking. In poultry farming, for example, the state accounted for 34.4% of the national slaughter, producing almost five million tons in 2025. Paraná alone slaughtered 2.299 billion head, a historical record.

Pig farming recorded the largest absolute growth in the country in meat volume, with a record 1.226 million tons – Photo: Shutterstock

Meanwhile, pig farming registered the largest absolute growth in the country in terms of meat volume, with a record 1.226 million tons. The gain in productivity has been evident: the average weight of the animals in 2025 rose to 95.2 kg, representing an increase of 3.8% (3.5 kg per animal) compared to the previous year.

Tilapia production also contributes significantly to the meat sector. Despite imports from Vietnam entering the national market, the state maintains its export strength. And the dairy farming sector reached record volumes with 4.3 billion liters delivered, a jump of 10% in annual productivity.

"Paraná not only maintains its title as the country's largest meat producer for almost two decades, but also demonstrates a capacity for growth," points out agricultural engineer and Deral analyst, Carlos Hugo Godinho.