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The data released by Statistics South Africa showed that agricultural gross value added expanded by 15,8% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) in the first quarter of 2025.

South Africa’s agricultural performance so far this year is not all doom and gloom

The outbreak of animal disease is a concern but there’s good news from the field crops, horticulture and poultry sectors

The increase in, for example, white and yellow maize, us now at 7.75 million tonnes and 6.91 million tonnes, 16% higher than the 2023-24 season.

South Africa expects an ample grain harvest this year

The recovery of crops bodes well for consumers as prices should come down

Crop data reaffirms South African agriculture’s recovery path

This could be good for consumers as prices drop.

Tractor sales increased for the second consecutive month, up 21% year-on-year in February 2025 (File photo)

South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales show signs of recovery

Better operating conditions and relatively lower interest rates are essentially the supporting factors for machinery sales

The ban comes on the back of improved domestic production in Zimbabwe. Photo: File

Maize forecast lowered again, but still sufficient for local consumption

The 2023-24 production estimate has been lowered by 2% to 13.06 million tonnes, 21% down from the 2022-23 season

Promising: Wheat prices have moderated this year, down by roughly 4% year-on-year.

Despite heavy rains, Western Cape’s wheat crop looks promising

Warmer, drier weather in the coming weeks would boost production in the Western Cape where two-thirds of South Africa’s wheat is grown.

When viewed annually, the white maize harvest is down 26%, with yellow maize down 10% from the 2022-23 season. File photo

Agricultural outlook: What to expect for South Africa’s maize and oilseed market

White maize prices are likely to be 30% higher, with yellow maize up by 20%

The El Niño-induced drought and heatwave in February and March hit crops hard in Southern Africa. (Conrad Bornman/Gallo Images)

SA will have a large summer crop of maize

During El Niño spring rainfall will be above-normal for most of the country and below-normal summer rainfall over the central to western regions and above-normal rainfall in the…

This past week South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee reminded us that we have a good summer and winter crop season.  (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)

South Africa has good summer and winter crop season

Grain supplies for both domestic consumption and export remain healthy

Summer crop yields higher than expected

The maize yield is above the 10-year average even though the area planted is lower than last year

We will have a poorer harvest than the glowing 2020-21 harvest, but will probably not have to import supplies. (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)

What South Africa’s excessive rains mean for food prices

We will have a poorer harvest than the glowing 2020-21 harvest, but will probably not have to import supplies