Sep 29, 2026
Brazil May Import Near Record Amounts of Wheat in 2026/27
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Wheat is the only major crop for which Brazil is not self-sufficient, which forces Brazil to be a major wheat importer. The main problem for wheat production is heavy rain and high humidity during the harvest period. In a good year, Brazilian farmers only produce about half enough wheat to meet domestic consumption, and the 2026 wheat crop is turning out to be problematic.
The early 2026 wheat harvest is underway and there are already problems with wheat quality in the states of Parana and Sao Paulo. In both states, there are reports of greater presence of wheat types 2 and 3, with lower availability of type 1.
The problem is the combination of excess rain, high humidity, disease occurrence, and episodes of frost in different producing regions. According to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral), wheat in Parana is 46% harvested with the remaining crop 2% in vegetative development, 9% flowering, 29% filling grain, and 60% maturing. The wheat is rated 7% poor, 29% average, and 64% good (down from 75% the prior week). From a sanitary point of view, mildew, wheat blast, and gibberella were observed more frequently due to the humid environment.
Wheat harvesting in Rio Grande do Sul is in the early stages with 1% to 4% harvested depending on location.
Wheat acreage in Brazil was reduced in 2026 in the face of tight margins and climate risks.
Conab projects production of 5.8 million tons of wheat reflecting a 20.4% reduction in the planted acreage. For the 2026/27 cycle, Conab estimates imports of 7.103 million tons, a volume more than 20% higher than the prior season and close to the highest level recorded in two decades. Millers may be forced once again to import higher quality wheat from Argentina to meet their needs. The lower quality wheat in Brazil is often used for animal rations.