EN 
PT_BR 
SÃO PAULO (Reuters) – Estimates for soybean planted area and the 2025/26 crop in Mato Grosso were maintained on Monday, according to the monthly projection by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea), despite reports indicating replanting in Brazil's main producing state.
According to sources from the institute, some locations in Mato Grosso have carried out "sporadic" reseeding due to the low germination rates observed, and there is a possibility of increased replanting if rainfall does not become regular in the coming weeks.
"Despite the reports (of replanting), the volume recorded was not yet sufficient for the preparation of the reseeding indicator," said Imea, indicating a forecast of planted area of around 13 million hectares, stable compared to the October forecast, which would be an increase of 1.67% compared to the previous cycle.
Earlier, consulting firms cited reports of replanting in the Midwest, which could delay the start of the state's early harvest, initially scheduled for January. But more regular rainfall is expected this week.
According to Imea, the average productivity of the crop currently being planted is projected at 60.45 sacks/hectare, indicating a reduction of 8.81% compared to the previous crop, according to a preliminary assessment.
In this context, soybean production in Mato Grosso in 2025/26 would fall by more than 7% to 47.18 million tons, compared to the record of the previous cycle, according to Imea.
Early planting of soybeans, which has already exceeded 75% of the projected area in Mato Grosso, usually favors the climatic window for the second crop, of corn or cotton.
Imea maintained its projection of the area destined for cereal cultivation at 7.39 million hectares, representing an increase of 1.83% compared to the 2024/25 crop.
"It is worth noting that the good pace of soybean planting this season tends to bring forward the oilseed harvest window, expanding the availability of area and favoring the establishment of corn within a more suitable period, a factor that supports maintaining the area projection for the next cycle," said the institute linked to producers, in another bulletin.
The 2025/26 corn crop in Mato Grosso was estimated at 51.72 million tons, representing a decrease of 6.70% compared to the previous season, due to lower expected yields, after the record in the previous cycle.
The cotton area was also maintained at 1.46 million hectares, a reduction of 5.65% compared to the record observed in the 2024/25 crop.
"Overall, the outlook remains uncertain due to current cotton price levels, in a scenario where the cost of production is the highest since the 2022/23 harvest," said Imea.
“Furthermore, producers have been focusing their attention on the development of the soybean crop in the state, which may also influence the final decision regarding the area that will actually be allocated to cotton in the cycle.”
The expected cotton production is 2.62 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of almost 13%, also stable compared to the October estimate.
(By Roberto Samora)
