South Africa’s corn harvest to increase by 4.5%

South Africa’s corn harvest in the 2025/26 season is expected to increase by 4.5% compared with the previous season. According to the government’s Crop Estimates Committee (CEC), farmers are forecast to harvest around 17.4 mln tons of corn.

Production totaled 16.65 mln tons last season. The latest CEC estimate is also slightly higher than its previous forecast released on July 28, when the corn harvest was projected at 17.363 mln tons.

White corn, which is primarily used for human consumption, will account for the largest share of production. The 2026 white corn harvest is forecast at 9.49 mln tons.

Yellow corn production, which is mainly used for animal feed, is expected at 7.91 mln tons. White corn will therefore account for around 55% of the country’s total harvest.

South Africa is Africa’s largest corn producer, meaning the larger harvest will increase grain supplies on the regional market and could potentially expand the country’s export opportunities.

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