The latest report from the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) indicates that the size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 17.064 million tons, which is 1.36% or 228,940 tons more than the previous forecast of 16.835 million tons. CEC said that this is the largest maize crop on record.
South Africa is on track to produce its largest maize harvest on record, according to the latest report from the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC), with economists and agricultural experts saying the bumper crop could help ease pressure on food prices and livestock feed costs.
The CEC’s latest production forecast places the expected commercial maize crop at 17.064 million tons, representing an increase of 228,940 tons or 1.36% from the previous estimate of 16.835 million tons.
The committee said the expected crop is also 2.03% larger than the 2025 harvest, reflecting favourable growing conditions, expanded planting areas and improved yields across major producing regions.
“The estimated maize crop is 2.03% or 339,040 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,” noted the CEC report.
