Article
Higher 2025 SA summer crop forecast
Published: 02/05/2025
South Africa’s commercial maize crop for 2025
has been revised upwards to 14,56 million tonnes,
representing a 4,65% (or 647 450 tonnes) increase from
the previous estimate of 13,91 million tonnes. The
updated figures mark a substantial 13,3% rise compared
to the 2024 harvest. According to the latest forecast, the
country’s total maize planting area is estimated at
2,597 million ha, with an average yield of 5,61t/ha.
The Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West
provinces are expected to contribute approximately
81% of the total maize output.
White maize production is now forecast at 7,70 million
tonnes, up 4,05% from the previous estimate. This
crop is planted across 1,6 million ha, with an expected
yield of 4,81t/ha. Yellow maize is projected at
6,86 million tonnes – an increase of 5,34% from the
earlier forecast – planted on 997 000ha with a yield
of 6,88t/ha.
Among other summer crops, sunflower seed production
is forecast at 770 500 tonnes (+7,01%), and soya beans
are set to reach 2,39 million tonnes (+2,78%). Groundnuts
have also been revised upwards to 66 929 tonnes
(+2,40%), and sorghum is expected to hit 137 435
tonnes (+6,03%). Dry bean production remains steady
at 79 007 tonnes. – Crop Estimates Committee