The Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) presented, this Monday (13), the results of the corn stage of the “Imea in the Field” project, a technical survey carried out in partnership with the Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (Aprosoja MT) and the Mato Grosso Agribusiness Institute (Iagro MT). According to the study, the 2025/26 crop estimate was revised and now points to a new record corn productivity in the state: 57.06 million tons. The survey was carried out during 64 working days in the main producing regions. In total, the project's technical teams traveled 30,829 kilometers and carried out 833 field assessments in 82 municipalities, covering areas that represent 96.4% of the area cultivated with second-crop corn in the state. During Imea's field visits, productive indicators were analyzed, such as plant population, number of grains per ear, grain weight and moisture, as well as the phytosanitary conditions of the crops, including the incidence of pests, diseases, and weeds. Based on the information gathered in the field, Imea raised its productivity estimate to 128.64 sacks per hectare, a 6.95% increase compared to the projection prior to the evaluations. State production was revised to 57.06 million tons, a 2.92% increase compared to the 2024/25 harvest, while the cultivated area remained estimated at 7.39 million hectares, a 1.83% increase year-on-year. Imea analyst Henrique Eggers explained that the methodology adopted allows for a more accurate portrayal of the reality of Mato Grosso's crops. According to him, the survey included crops of different cycles and producing regions. “Over two months, we traveled through all the producing regions of Mato Grosso and carried out more than 800 field assessments. This work provided a very representative picture of the harvest and showed that we are facing a new record in productivity and production,” he stated. Henrique highlighted that the results observed directly on the properties significantly altered the initial perception of the harvest's productive potential. “Before the assessments, we were working with an estimate close to 120 sacks per hectare. After the field visits, we identified indicators superior to those of the previous harvest, such as a greater number of ears per hectare, more grains per ear, and greater grain weight. These factors supported the revision to 128.64 sacks per hectare,” he explained.
The corn market
In addition to agronomic information, the survey provided updates on the market scenario. By July, 51.41% of the 2025/26 corn crop had already been sold, with a weighted average price of R$ 43.10 per sack. For the 2026/27 crop, advance sales reached 7.90%, with an average of R$ 44.76 per sack. Despite the positive outlook for production, the economic scenario continues to demand caution. Imea's estimate indicates that the total cost of the 2026/27 corn crop should reach R$ 7,418.49 per hectare, an increase of 10.30% compared to the previous cycle. Operational costs alone showed an increase of 14.46%, reaching R$ 3,799.42 per hectare. The superintendent of Imea, Cleiton Gauer, highlighted that productivity continues to be an important factor in sustaining profitability, but stressed that costs remain high and require greater management efficiency.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.