JOHANNESBURG, Aug 27 – South Africa’s maize harvest is expected to increase by 4.5% in the 2025/2026 season, with farmers forecast to produce 17.4 million metric tons, according to the government’s Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).
The CEC’s seventh summer crop estimate, released on Wednesday, puts the expected harvest above the 16.65 million metric tons recorded in the previous season. It also represents a slight increase from the committee’s previous forecast of 17.363 million metric tons published on July 28.
The latest estimate comprises approximately 9.49 million metric tons of white maize and 7.91 million metric tons of yellow maize. White maize is primarily used for human consumption, while yellow maize is mainly used as animal feed.
The projected increase reinforces expectations of a stronger maize supply for South Africa during the 2025/2026 season. The size of the harvest is particularly important for food and agricultural markets, given maize’s role as a major staple and input for the livestock industry.
The latest forecast also indicates that the CEC continues to expect production to remain above the previous season’s level despite only a marginal upward adjustment from its July estimate.
The final outcome will depend on harvesting conditions and the performance of crops as the season progresses. For agricultural markets, the projected 17.4 million-tonne harvest provides an important indicator of domestic supply conditions and the potential availability of both white and yellow maize.
