Chapter 3 – Record maize supplies shift attention to the season ahead.
South Africa is harvesting a record maize crop of approximately 17.4 million tonnes, supported by favourable growing conditions and widespread rainfall. However, continued rainfall throughout the season delayed crop development and harvest activity, creating the impression of tighter supplies despite abundant production. While current fundamentals remain bearish, market attention is increasingly turning towards the next production cycle. This section explores how record supplies, delayed harvest progress and the potential emergence of El Niño could influence maize prices and market sentiment in the season ahead.
Delayed maize harvest progress reflects late plantings, rather than
lower accumulated delivery.
Figure 3
Source: South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS), 2026
Plan for the future with insights by agri-industry experts. To learn more,
download the 2026 Spring Edition.