According to the latest survey by the Information System on Droughts for Southern South America (SISSA), 29.86% of Argentina is experiencing some degree of water deficit, which is equivalent to 764,490 km².
The report, covering from October 26, 2025, to January 25, 2026, shows that the drought is particularly affecting the provinces of Buenos Aires and Córdoba, at a critical time for soybean and corn crops.
National distribution of drought in Argentina
- Abnormally dry: 11.38% of the country (285,333 km²).
- Moderate drought: 9.28% (232,672 km²).
- Severe drought: 5.87% (163,000 km²).
- Extreme drought: 3.06% (76,653 km²).
- Exceptional drought: 0.27% (6,832 km²).
70.14% of the national territory (almost 1.7 million km²) does not present drought conditions, although the water deficit is concentrated in strategic productive areas.
Buenos Aires: the largest affected area
In Buenos Aires, more than 80% of the territory shows a water deficit:
- Abnormally dry: 41.21% (126,098 km²).
- Moderate drought: 32.98% (101,900 km²).
- Only 16.45% (50,319 km²) is classified as non-dry. For now, no severe or extreme categories are recorded, but the affected area is the largest in the country.
Córdoba: the most severe situation
Córdoba concentrates the most critical levels:
- Severe drought: 19.78% (32,433 km²).
- Extreme drought: 15.84% (25,962 km²).
- Exceptional drought: 2.76% (4,532 km²).
- Moderate drought: 14.48% (23,737 km²).
In total, more than 86,000 km² (more than 50% of the province) are experiencing some level of water deficit. This is particularly concerning due to Córdoba’s role as the main corn producer and its mixed agriculture and livestock scheme.
Santa Fe and Entre Ríos: moderate impact
- Santa Fe: 83.54% of the territory (111,185 km²) is not experiencing drought. However, 12.82% (17,000 km²) is abnormally dry and 3.64% (4,800 km²) under moderate drought, with greater impact in the southern part of the province.
- Entre Ríos: 76.75% (59,607 km²) is not experiencing drought. 14.21% (11,032 km²) is abnormally dry, 8.31% (6,451 km²) under moderate drought, and 0.73% (568 km²) under severe drought.
Impact on agricultural production
The Rosario Board of Trade (BCR) warned that in the core region, January rains reached only 30% of normal. This is already affecting crops:
- The first crop soybeans show yield losses that are difficult to recover.
- In late and second crop corn, about 90,000 hectares are compromised, with much of the area in regular condition and awaiting new rains.
The SISSA survey confirms that the drought affects almost a third of the country, with Buenos Aires and Córdoba as epicenters of the water deficit. The situation is critical due to its direct impact on agricultural and livestock production, reinforcing the need for water management and climate adaptation policies in the most affected provinces.
