Paraguay and Argentina soybean harvests grapple with heavy rains and yield concerns

In Paraguay, the early‑season "zafriña" soybean harvest is underway, delivering yields of 1,800‑2,400 kg per hectare, according to Lindemar Cesca of the Soybean Producers Association. Producers plan to keep the sowing area stable at roughly 3.5‑3.7 million hectares for the 2026 campaign. Rainfall this May has been above the historical average, prompting expectations of a wetter season linked to El Niño, which could benefit the main soy planting later in the year.

In Argentina's Santiago del Estero province, producers face one of the toughest harvests in recent memory. Intense rains have turned fields in Bandera and Los Juríes into thick mud, forcing harvesters to operate on saturated ground and requiring constant assistance to free trapped machinery. Despite higher costs and reduced yields, farmers persist in harvesting soybeans, underscoring their resilience amid the extreme weather.