El Niño boosts Argentine wheat outlook and spurs Colombia's national response

A strong El Niño event is expected to lift Argentina's 2026/27 wheat harvest to over 21 million tonnes, positioning the crop among the country's best recent yields. Forecasts cite increased rainfall and soil moisture across most regions, though sowing delays persist in parts of Buenos Aires province due to saturated soils.

In Colombia, the government has launched a National Strategy for the 2026‑2027 El Niño season, aiming to protect lives, ensure food and water security, and maintain electricity supply. The plan, presented by the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, includes a permanent unified command center and a $669 billion peso investment in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy. Director Javier Pava warned that “the conditions associated with El Niño continue strengthening in the tropical Pacific,” noting forest fires in Magdalena and sudden floods in the Llanos foothills and Norte de Santander. Measures also cover water‑saving campaigns in 111 high‑risk municipalities and the deployment of two Firehawk helicopters for forest‑fire response.