• Farmers plan to plant 2.67 million hectares of maize in 2025/2026, up 2.7% from last season.

• White maize area is set to rise by 15,000 ha (+0.9%), while yellow maize area will increase by 54,000 ha (+5.4%).

• South Africa’s maize harvest is expected to rebound 28% to 16.4 million tonnes in 2024/2025.

South Africa, the continent’s largest maize producer, plans to maintain its recent production momentum following an improved 2024/2025 season.

The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) said in its October outlook that farmers intend to plant about 2.67 million hectares of maize in the 2025/2026 agricultural season. The forecast represents a 2.7% increase—equivalent to 69,000 hectares—compared with the area planted last season.

The projection would mark the country’s largest maize area since 2021, when farmers planted 2.7 million hectares.

The CEC said, “The figures show that producers plan to plant 1.615 million hectares of white maize, which is 15,000 hectares (0.9%) more than the previous season. For yellow maize, the expected area is 1.051 million hectares, representing an increase of 54,000 hectares (5.4%) compared with the previous season.”

Officials attributed the optimistic forecast to favourable weather conditions. The South African Weather Service said in its late-September seasonal outlook that the country’s north-eastern regions should receive above-normal rainfall through mid-summer.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber, told News24 on 27 November that “the rains will help ensure the agricultural season starts on time and that we have excellent production conditions.”

The increase in planted area is expected to support the sector’s recovery. The CEC estimates that South Africa’s maize harvest will rise 28% to 16.4 million tonnes in 2024/2025 after a disappointing 2023/2024 season.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum