Agbiz has welcomed news that South Africa’s expected record maize harvest of 17 million tons has led to South Korea and Vietnam returning to buy maize from the country.
South Africa’s anticipated record maize harvest is beginning to reshape export markets, with major buyers in Asia returning to source grain from the country after largely staying away during the previous marketing season.
The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has welcomed renewed demand from South Korea and Vietnam, saying the development bodes well for the country’s ambitious maize export targets for the 2026-27 marketing year.
According to Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo, the return of buyers from the Far East signals stronger international demand for South African maize at a time when the country is expecting a record harvest of 17.1 million tons.
“Vietnam and South Korea are among the main buyers so far in the 2026-27 marketing year, which started in May 2026. In the previous marketing year, the 2025-26 marketing year, which ended in April, we did not see much demand from countries in the Far East.”
