MAIZE AND SOYBEAN CROP OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH AFRICA'S 2024/2025 SEASON: RECOVERY SIGNS AMIDST WEATHER AND MARKET CHALLENGES

Following a challenging 2023/2024 summer crop season in which South Africa's grains and oilseeds production fell by 24% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 15.4 million tons, a rebound period may be on the horizon. According to statistics issued by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) on January 29, farmers intended to plant 4.47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in 2024/2025 season and the preliminary area planted is estimated to be 4.45 million hectares.

COMMENTARY ON THE FRESH PRODUCE MARKET INQUIRY REPORT: 2025

The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) acknowledges the findings and recommendations as outlined in the Competition Commission's Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) Report published in 2025. The Commission investigated the possible existence of market features that impede, distort, or restrict competition in the National Fresh Produce Markets (NFPMs).