Brazilian farmers are expected to boost second-corn production by approximately 11% in the 2024/25 season, supported by favorable weather conditions in key growing regions and rising demand from the country’s corn ethanol industry, the national crop agency Conab said on Thursday, reported Reuters.
In its May crop report, Conab noted that sowing of the second-corn—planted after the soybean harvest in the same fields—has been completed. The agency projects output at 99.8 million tons this season.
Most second-corn regions benefited from timely rainfall, which aided crop development and improved yields. Although dry weather earlier in the season impacted potential in areas such as Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, rainfall in March and April helped partially recover those losses and supported later-planted fields, according to Conab.
On the demand side, Conab estimates that domestic consumption of corn will reach 89.3 million tons in 2025, up 6.3% from the previous year, largely due to the growing production of corn-based ethanol. As a result, exports will remain flat at 34 million tons, consistent with Conab’s earlier forecast.
In addition to corn, Conab also revised its soybean production estimate, raising it to 168.34 million tons, up slightly from a previous forecast of 167.87 million tons. This confirms another record harvest for the world’s top soybean producer and exporter.
While soybeans continue to perform strongly, current market attention is focused on the second-corn crop, a key component of Brazil’s corn export strategy. These exports, which primarily occur in the second half of the year, will compete directly with U.S. corn in international markets.
Conab expects total corn production in Brazil this year to reach 126.87 million tons, marking a 10% increase from last year, driven by an 8.1% rise in average yields.
