South Africa’s Maize Harvest Surges, Exports to Asia Rise, But Local Profits Falter Johannesburg, South Africa – A record maize harvest in South Africa is expected to reach 17. 1 million tonnes for the 2025/26 season, significantly exceeding annual consumption and setting the stage for a surge in exports to Asia.
However, the bonanza is not translating into profits for local farmers, who are addressing soaring input costs and a potential glut in the market.
The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) reported that the robust harvest, which is well above the annual consumption of around 12 million tonnes, is due to expanded plantings of summer crops, including maize, soybeans, and sunflower seed. This has been driven by favorable weather conditions and increased planting efforts by farmers.
The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has welcomed the findings, indicating optimism about the agricultural sector’s performance.
Officials commented on the matter. Yet, while the surplus is good for trade, there are concerns among farmers about the potential for lower prices due to the increased supply.
The country is forecasting maize exports to rise to 3 million tonnes this season, up from 2 million tonnes the previous year.
Key Asian markets, including South Korea and Vietnam, have returned to the market, supporting a stronger export outlook for the 2026–27 season.
The surge in exports comes as the region grapples with the impact of a powerful El Nino weather pattern, which has led to hot and dry weather disrupting crop planting across Asia. This has raised concerns about food supplies in the world’s most-populous region, and an expected severe El Nino weather pattern could inflict more damage, according to reports from Straitstimes.
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Despite the favorable outlook for exports, the situation on the ground for local farmers is less optimistic.
The high input costs, including fertilizers and diesel, have been a significant burden.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the surplus is not evenly distributed across the country. Some regions have experienced above-average yields, while others have faced challenges due to drought conditions.
The government has acknowledged the concerns and has been working on measures to support farmers.
As the season progresses, the true impact of the harvest on local farmers’profits will become clearer. For now, the optimism surrounding the export outlook is tempered by the uncertainty of the domestic market.
The surge in maize exports to Asia is a positive development for South Africa’s agricultural sector, but the benefits are not yet being fully realized on the local level.
The challenge now is to ensure that the gains from increased exports are shared more equitably among all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Zandile.Khumalo
