South Africa

Harvest of the maize crop is underway in the country and is expected to be finalized by the end of June. According to the fifth production forecast of the Crop Estimates Committee, maize output is expected at 14,783 million tons, 15% above last year’s reduced output but slightly below the 5-year average (ca.3% below). Planting of winter cereal crops is underway in the Cape area and expected to be concluded in June. According to the Crop Estimates Committee (Winter Cereals: Intentions to plant), early indications are that producers intend to plant 513,200 ha of wheat for the 2025 production season, ca.3% below the 5-year average. A rainfall deficit is observed in the Northern and West Cape, as between the end of May and mid-June, the cumulative rainfall received was ca. 30% below-average. Vegtation conditions for winter wheat in Western Cape are still close to average in mid-June.
The Copernicus C3S Multimodel seasonal rainfall forecast for the period July-August 2025 indicates average to drier-than-average conditions across the winter cereal areas. The situation needs to be monitored in the coming weeks. The preliminary area estimate of winter crops for 2025 will be released on 29 July 2025 by the Crop Estimates Committee.