South African farmers are estimated to have planted maize on 2.67 million hectares in the 2026 season, up 3 percent from the previous year, the government’s Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) said on Tuesday, pointing to improved planting conditions and steady domestic demand.
The CEC said the area planted to white maize, the staple food crop consumed locally, was forecast to rise by 2.8 percent, while yellow maize, used mainly for animal feed and industrial purposes, was expected to increase by 3.3 percent.
Overall maize plantings were estimated at 2.67 million hectares, compared with 2.60 million hectares in the 2025 season. The increase suggests a degree of confidence among farmers despite ongoing challenges including input costs, volatile weather and infrastructure constraints.
South Africa is the continent’s largest maize producer and a key exporter to neighbouring countries. White maize is primarily consumed domestically, while yellow maize plays a critical role in the livestock and poultry industries and supports export earnings.
The CEC’s estimate reflects early-season planting intentions and field surveys conducted across major maize-producing regions, including the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces. These regions account for the bulk of the country’s maize output and are sensitive to rainfall patterns during the summer growing season.
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Farmers entered the 2026 planting season following mixed conditions in the previous year, when erratic rainfall and logistical bottlenecks affected yields in some areas. However, relatively favourable early rains and stable maize prices appear to have encouraged modest expansion in planted area.
Maize prices on the South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) have remained firm, supported by steady regional demand and concerns about global grain supply disruptions linked to climate risks and geopolitical tensions. Analysts say price stability has helped offset rising costs for fertiliser, fuel and labour.
The increase in yellow maize plantings also reflects sustained demand from the animal feed sector, particularly poultry producers, who have faced higher feed costs in recent years. Feed accounts for a significant share of production expenses in the livestock industry, making maize supply a key factor in food price dynamics.
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While the larger planted area is a positive signal, total maize output will ultimately depend on weather conditions over the coming months. South Africa’s maize crop is highly sensitive to rainfall distribution during pollination and grain-filling stages, typically between January and March.
The South African Weather Service has warned that climate variability continues to pose risks to agricultural production, with both droughts and episodes of excessive rainfall becoming more frequent. Farmers have increasingly turned to improved seed varieties and conservation farming techniques to mitigate these risks, though adoption remains uneven.
Government officials say the maize sector remains central to national food security and rural employment. The agriculture department has encouraged producers to maintain planting levels while promoting climate-resilient practices and improved infrastructure, including storage and transport networks.
The CEC is expected to release updated planting and production estimates later in the season as more data becomes available. Final production figures will depend on crop conditions through harvest, which typically begins in late autumn.
South Africa produced more than 15 million tonnes of maize in strong seasons in recent years, allowing the country to export surplus grain to regional markets such as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. A larger planting area in 2026 could support similar outcomes, provided weather conditions remain favourable.
For now, the CEC said the 3% increase in planted area points to cautious optimism among farmers, even as uncertainties linked to climate, costs and infrastructure continue to shape planting decisions.
