Uruguay’s corn production set for record high

barley, leading to an increase in canola acreage by 80,000–100,000 hectares. Conversely, wheat planting is projected to drop by 300,000 hectares, or nearly 17%, compared to the previous year. Corn production will benefit from better returns than soybeans and a recovery in planted areas following severe damage from corn stunt disease, caused by the Spiroplasma kunkelii phytoplasma and spread by leafhoppers (Dalbulus maidis). Early weather forecasts suggest the absence of the dry La Niña conditions that affected the past three seasons, boosting corn yields. Domestic corn consumption is expected to reach a record 1.55 million tonnes, driven by a thriving livestock sector, particularly for beef cattle finishing and live calf exports, as well as growth in the dairy and poultry industries. Corn exports will remain steady at 200,000 tonnes, targeting markets in Chile, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Wheat production is forecast at 1.2 million tonnes in 2025–2026, down from 1.5 ...