wheatlatest news & developments
Namibia has schemes and together, they represent one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa — spanning thousands of hectares of irrigated land, with access to perennial rivers and soils suited to maize, wheat and horticulture. Photos: Namibia Presidency

Namibia’s green schemes are failing, and a parliamentary inquiry blames the system

The country has 11 such schemes, together representing one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee lowered the 2023-24 maize harvest to 12,8 million tonnes, down 2% from last month and 22% from the previous season.

South Africa’s maize production prospects lowered again

The effects of the mid-summer drought are being felt but the country’s needs should be met with some over for export

  • Eyaaz
3 min read
The top exported products by value include citrus, apples and pears, maize, wine, dates, pineapples, avocados, sugar, grapes, fruit juices, nuts and wool.

SA’s agricultural export growth cools slightly in second quarter of 2024

Despite this drop, trade figures remain encouraging, but various departments need to address policy and other issues to boost exports

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
Promising: Wheat prices have moderated this year, down by roughly 4% year-on-year.

Despite heavy rains, Western Cape’s wheat crop looks promising

Warmer, drier weather in the coming weeks would boost production in the Western Cape where two-thirds of South Africa’s wheat is grown.

3 min read
The broad moderation in grain prices underscores improved global supplies in the 2023-24 season. Photo: Martin Schutt/dpa

Global grain production good, but Southern Africa’s white maize crop hit by drought

South Africa imports all its rice and half its wheat so the exchange rate is a factor to watch

  • Eyaaz
3 min read
The cost of living in South Africa is increasing and it is hurting consumers’ pockets everywhere. Photo: Getty Images

How much does bread actually cost?

It’s not a straightforward answer, but Julius Malema should have been able to at least estimate This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
The data released by Statistics South Africa showed that agricultural gross value added expanded by 15,8% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) in the first quarter of 2025.

South Africa had a decent winter crop harvest

Despite flooding, the 2023-24 wheat crop quality is good and the quantity is up from the previous season, while canola is up 13%. But oats and barley are faring less well because of heavy rains

  • Eyaaz
3 min read
The recent floods damaged these crops more than wheat and canola. Notably, there are reportedly quality issues in barley, and the extent of it will be clear in the coming weeks. (Mike Hutchings/Reuters)

South Africa’s winter crop size is decent, but quality remains a concern

The expected wheat crop is above the 10-year average harvest but estimates for barley and oats are lower than the Crop Estimates Committee forecasts This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Eyaaz
1 min read