Mato Grosso harvested more than 65% of the soybean crop, according to Imea.

SAO PAULO, Feb 20 (Reuters) – The 2025/26 soybean harvest in Mato Grosso advanced to 65.75% of the state's total area, but remained slightly behind the index for the same period last year (66.16%), the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) reported on Friday.

Until last week, the pace was slightly above the year-on-year comparison. Some experts have cited rain as a factor hindering the entry of machinery, which may have impacted the harvest.

But the total harvested exceeds the five-year historical average for this time of year (57,25%).

Corn planting, carried out after the soybean harvest, took up 66.33% of the total planned area, versus 67.15% at the same time last year and 71.52% in the historical average for the period.

Producers are trying to complete the work in time to secure a favorable weather window for corn development, as rainfall generally decreases as winter approaches.

In the case of cotton, planting is practically complete, according to Imea, with more than 99% of the areas sown.

The state is the largest Brazilian producer of all three commodities.

(By Roberto Samora)