CEC report predicts historic grain harvest for South Africa in 2026

The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) latest report in June indicates a further increase in the maize, sunflower, and soybean summer crop

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.”