The country has 11 such schemes, together representing one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa
But the country may not keep the ban for long, because a shortfall of about 700,000 is expected later in the season
It is probably opportunistic trade for livestock feed
About half of South Africa’s maize was exported to Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea in the first 13 weeks of the 2025-26 marketing year
The country could return to being a net exporter of maize and the domestic prices to moderate, easing the general food price inflation
The recovery of crops bodes well for consumers as prices should come down
Estimates for maize and oilseeds are up, boosting predictions of a recovery year in agriculture
While the recent rains caused damage to infrastructure and in communities, it does more good than bad in agriculture
Optimism about the season ahead and favourable rainfall forecasts through March are the key drivers of the market’s price decline
A report by the US agriculture department raised this possibility, but South Africa’s maize harvest is well above the annual needs
Slightly high prices and lower input costs, as well as the prospect of good rain will probably driving this
The weather event is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall in January before easing up, but the northeast may remain dry
The effects of the mid-summer drought are being felt but the country’s needs should be met with some over for export
Despite this drop, trade figures remain encouraging, but various departments need to address policy and other issues to boost exports
The mid-summer drought and animal diseases resulted in reduced crop yields and hurt the poultry, piggery and cattle sectors
Climate change needs to be front and centre of party manifestos
The El Niño-induced drought and heatwave in February and March hit crops hard in Southern Africa
South Africa imports all its rice and half its wheat so the exchange rate is a factor to watch
South Africa started the 2023-24 summer crop season with optimism, but the outlook is now lower because of the excessive heat and limited rainfall across major crop-growing regions
Area plantings for maize and sunflower seed are above the five-year average
