South Africa's maize exports surge as Far East demand returns despite El Niño concerns

Despite a looming El Niño, South Africa's maize exports have increased compared to last year, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz)

Despite a looming El Niño, South Africa's maize exports have increased compared to last year, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz).

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said that South Africa’s maize exports this year are moving at a slightly faster pace than in the previous year.

“Each week, we continue to see notable export volumes to the Far Eastern countries and the Southern African region,” he said.

Sihlobo added that since the start of the 2026-27 marketing year in May, they have seen continuous maize exports, which now total 760,015 tons, out of the expected 3 million tons.