Chile's Wheat Crop Planting Area to Fall Below Average Amid High Costs

Chile's wheat crop planting area is expected to be below average this season due to high production costs and low profitability. The area planted to oats, however, is forecast to be above average as tight market supplies from last year's low output have pressured prices upward.

The country's cereal import requirements for the 2026/27 marketing year are anticipated to be slightly above average, with imports covering about 60 percent of Chile's cereal consumption needs. The import demand is driven by a stable demand for wheat grain and maize imports from the swine and poultry industries.

Wholesale prices of wheat grain were lower in June this year compared to last year, due to large imports between April 2025 and March 2026. Retail prices of rice, however, rose in April and May before falling by 5 percent month-on-month in June.