Soybean sales accelerate in Argentina amid best prices in a year; $11 billion in grain still to be sold

Argentine soybean producers are rapidly selling their crops, spurred by a significant price increase that has brought soybean values to some of the highest dollar figures seen in the last year. This surge has more than doubled the average daily traded volume, from 148,000 tons to 312,000 tons over the last three days.

Experts estimate that out of the 2025/26 season's projected production of 49.5 million tons, approximately 24.7 million tons have already had their prices set. After accounting for seed reserves, an estimated 23 million tons remain to be sold, representing about $11 billion at current values. The trend also extends to corn, with 32 million tons registered for export out of a potential 45 million.

Javier Preciado Patiño, an agricultural markets specialist, noted that the Free On Board (FOB) price for soybeans has climbed to $478 per ton. After export duties, producers receive around $355 per ton, a notable increase from $341 at the beginning of August and nearly 20% higher than prices in August of the previous year.

"There is evident global interest in Argentine soybeans," Preciado Patiño explained. He highlighted that the current producer price of $355 per ton is among the highest in the past twelve months. This improved market condition, coupled with a reduced gap between different exchange rates, is effectively mobilizing sales. "Today, unlike before, there is practically no gap between the dollars, meaning you sell, turn around, and if you want, you can comfortably hold dollars," he added.

Bruno Todone, a grain analyst at AZ-Group, reported that between Monday, August 17, and Friday, August 21, 1.15 million tons of soybeans were traded. This figure includes both operations with fixed prices and those "to be fixed," where the quantity is agreed upon but the final price depends on future market movements. This volume represents about 500,000 tons more than in the same period the previous week, according to SIO-Granos records.