EN 
PT_BR 
The corn harvest for the 2025/26 season has begun in Mato Grosso, slightly earlier than the same period of the previous cycle, and work is expected to accelerate in June due to a forecast of favorable weather, the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) stated in a bulletin distributed this Tuesday.
Mato Grosso, Brazil's largest corn producer, is expected to harvest 52.6 million tons of the grain in 2025/26, according to a projection by Imea, which indicates an annual decrease of 5% compared to last year's record, considering lower yields. The planted area grew by 1.8%, to 7.39 million hectares.
By May 22nd, Mato Grosso had harvested 0.57% of the estimated area for the state, a rate that is 0.26 percentage points ahead of that recorded in the same period of the previous harvest.
"The expectation is that the harvest will pick up pace starting in June, since no significant rainfall is forecast for the coming weeks, favoring the progress of activities," stated the organization linked to the producers.
The Mid-North region stands out with the greatest progress, reaching 1,18% of the harvested area, according to Imea.
Corn from Mato Grosso is important for supplying the state's ethanol plants, the largest producer of biofuel made from corn in Brazil. In addition, the harvested volumes supply exports, which typically pick up pace in the second half of the year.
Imea also stated that most crops are showing good development, especially in areas sown within the ideal window, "which supports a positive outlook for the harvest."
(By Roberto Samora; edited by Letícia Fucuchima)
