The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) latest report in June indicates a further increase in the maize, sunflower, and soybean summer crop. The summer maize crop is expected to be the highest on record.

CE said that the size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 17,255 million tons, which is 1,12% or 190,500 tons more than the previous forecast of 17,064 million tons.

“This is the largest maize crop on record. The area estimate for total maize is 2,716 million hectares, while the expected yield is 6,35 t/ha.”

CEC added that the estimated maize crop is 3,17% or 529,540 tons more than the 2025 crop. “The three main maize producing areas, namely the Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces are expected to produce 82% of the 2026 crop.”

CEC said that the production forecast of white maize is 9,283 million tons, which is 1,13% or 104,000 tons more than the 9,179 million tons of the previous forecast.

“The area estimate for white maize is 1,665 million ha with an expected yield of 5,58 t/ha. In the case of yellow maize, the production forecast is 7,972 million tons, which is 1,10% or 86,500 tons more than the 7,885 million tons of the previous forecast. The area estimate for yellow maize is 1,052 million ha with an expected yield of 7,58 t/ha.”

CEC added that the production forecast for sunflower seed is 910,530 tons, which is 3.74% or 32,850 tons more than the previous forecast of 877,680 tons. “The area estimate for sunflower seed is 570,100 ha, while the expected yield is 1.60 t/ha.”

CEC said that the production forecast for soybeans increased by 4.56% or 132,625 tons to 3,044 million tons.

“This is the largest soybean crop on record. The estimated area planted to soybeans is 1,212,700 ha, with an expected yield of 2.51 t/ha.

The expected groundnut crop remained unchanged at 57,798 tons. For groundnuts, the area estimate is 44,650 ha, with an expected yield of 1,29 t/ha.

The production forecast for sorghum also remained unchanged at 149,053 tons. The area estimate for sorghum is 45,000 ha and the expected yield is 3.31 t/ha.” 

CEC added that for dry beans, the production forecast is 80,925 tons, which is 1,86% or 1,475 tons more than the previous forecast of 79,450 tons. “The area estimate of dry beans is 38,920 ha and the expected yield is 2,08 t/ha.”

Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said that CEC estimates point to the highest grain crop on record.

“The latest estimate indicates that South Africa will have 21,5 million tons of grain and oilseed; this is the largest grain harvest on record. We have seen upward revisions on all major grains including maize, sunflower seed, and sorghum.”

Sihlobo added that the expected maize harvest is more than 17 million tons. “South Africa consumes about 12 million tons of maize, which leaves about 5 million tons to export and start the new season on the front foot with ample harvest."

Sihlobo said that the new maize harvest is coming at a time when the country still has large stocks of maize from the previous season.

Sihlobo added that the higher quality of South African maize and its affordability are among the major factors driving strong sales to the Far East.

“We don’t typically talk about this, but the fact that South African maize is sun-dried and has reasonably low moisture has been an issue that maize importers from Far Eastern countries often mention in various interactions.”

Sihlobo said that in this new 2026-27 marketing year, South Africa’s maize export forecast is at 3 million tons, up 50% from the previous year. “This means that in the coming months we may continue to see more exports, and the Far East markets are among the regions key to ensuring that South Africa realises its export forecast.”

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