Feb 18, 2026
Conab Increased Soybean Estimate, Lowered Corn Estimate
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
In their February Crop Report released last week, Conab increased the 2025/26 Brazilian soybean production by 1.86 million tons to 177.98 million. The 2025/26 Brazilian corn production was lowered 0.42 million tons to 138.44 million.
Brazil's 2025/26 soybean acreage was lowered 240,000 hectares to 48.43 million (119.6 million acres). This is the third month in a row that soybean acreage has been reduced. The soybean acreage in Brazil is up 2.3% compared to last year. Conab's soybean acreage is now one million hectares or 2.4 million acres less than USDA's estimate of 49.4 million hectares (122.0 million acres).
Brazil's soybean yield is estimated at 3,675 kg/ha (54.7 bu/ac) or up 0.8 bushels compared to a month earlier. The current soybean estimate of 177.98 million tons represents an increase of 6.5 million tons compared to 2024/25 or 3.8%.
Conab's corn estimates showed mixed results. The estimate of Brazil's first corn crop was increased 0.81 million tons to 26.7 million, whereas the estimate for the safrinha corn crop was lowered 1,2 million tons to 109.26 million. The safrinha corn acreage was lowered 200,000 hectares to 17.89 million (44.1 million acres) which is up 2.7% compared to last year. In January, Conab estimated that the safrinha corn acreage would increase by 3.8%. The current corn estimate of 138.44 million tons represents a decrease of 2.7 million tons or 1.9% compared to 2024/25.
The safrinha corn crop in Brazil represents 78.9% of the total corn production with the first crop at 19.2% and the third crop at 1.7%.