The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) projects a notable rise in Argentina’s wheat production for the 2024/25 season, estimating a yield of 18.6 million tons. This marks a significant increase from the 15.7 million tons harvested in the 2023/24 season. Improved weather conditions in April and May have spurred farmers to expand their planted area to 6.2 million hectares, exceeding their initial plans.
With this robust wheat crop, Argentina’s wheat exports are anticipated to reach 12.4 million tons, up from 9.2 million tons last season. Brazil is expected to remain the primary export destination, followed by Indonesia and several African countries.
In contrast, Argentina’s corn production faces a slight decline. The FAS estimates a production of 49 million tons for 2024/25, a reduction of 2 million tons from the previous season. This decrease is attributed to a potential reduction in planted area by 200,000 hectares.
“The new corn planting season, beginning in late August to early September, faces uncertainty regarding total acreage,” stated the FAS. “The 2023/24 corn crop suffered over a 15% production cut due to a severe corn stunt disease outbreak in central-northern Argentina.”
In response to these challenges, many farmers in northern Argentina have shifted to planting wheat to ensure crop rotation is maintained.
Despite the overall drop in corn production, exports are expected to rise to 35.5 million tons in 2024/25, up from 34 million tons in the previous year. The FAS noted that farmers are currently selling corn at a slower pace, as many are in a strong financial position and are holding onto their corn and soybeans, anticipating a potential price rebound.
These projections highlight both the potential for growth in Argentina’s wheat sector and the ongoing challenges in corn production, shaping the country’s agricultural landscape for the upcoming season.
