Fourth production forecast of summer crops | 26 May

Fourth production forecast for summer crops (2026)
Vierde produksieskatting vir somergewasse (2026)

Summer crops / Somergewasse
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Crop / Gewas Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Third forecast
Derde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Change
Verandering
2026 2026 2026 2025 2025
Ha Tons Tons Ha Tons %
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (B) ÷ (C)
Commercial / Kommersieël
  White maize / Witmielies 1 664 700 9 178 690 9 084 650 1 635 000 8 500 000 1.04
  Yellow maize / Geelmielies 1 051 500 7 885 350 7 750 450 1 030 000 8 225 000 1.74
Total Maize / Totale Mielies 2 716 200 17 064 040 16 835 100 2 665 000 16 725 000 1.36
Sunflower seed / Sonneblomsaad 570 100 877 680 821 630 555 700 708 635 6.82
Soybeans / Sojabone 1 212 700 2 911 200 2 808 925 1 154 000 2 800 000 3.64
Groundnuts / Grondbone 44 650 57 798 69 360 48 750 63 350 -16.67
Sorghum 45 000 149 053 140 653 41 350 154 000 5.97
Dry beans / Droëbone 38 920 79 450 79 450 45 620 90 556
Total / Totaal 4 627 570 21 139 220 20 755 118 4 510 420 20 541 541 1.85
Non-commercial Maize / Nie-kommersiële Mielies
Total maize / Totaal mielies 397 170 695 025 695 025 358 000 621 500 0.00
Maize / Mielies: Commercial / Kommersieël + Non-commercial / Nie-kommersieël
Total maize RSA / Totaal mielies RSA 3 113 370 17 759 065 17 530 125 3 023 000 17 346 500 1.31

Notes/Notas:
Estimate is for calendar year, for example production season 2025/2026 = 2026
Estimate reflects current conditions to date, assuming the remainder of the season progresses normally.
Skatting is vir kalenderjaar, byvoorbeeld produksie-seisoen 2025/2026 = 2026
Skatting weerspieël die huidige toestande tot op hede, met die aanname dat die res van die seisoen normaal sal verloop.

Total maize / Totale mielies
Production   2016-2026   Produksie
Graph of the total maize production from 2016 to 2026
Sunflower seed / Sonneblomsaad
Production   2016-2026   Produksie
Graph of sunflower seed production from 2016 to 2026
Soybeans / Sojabone
Production   2016-2026   Produksie
Graph of soybean production from 2016 to 2026
White and Yellow maize / Wit- en Geelmielies
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
2026 2026 2025 2025
White
Wit
Yellow
Geel
Total
Totaal
White
Wit
Yellow
Geel
Total
Totaal
White
Wit
Yellow
Geel
Total
Totaal
White
Wit
Yellow
Geel
Total
Totaal
Ha Tons Ha Tons
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap
200 4 000 4 200 1 840 38 000 39 840 200 3 500 3 700 1 900 32 525 34 425
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap
3 000 42 500 45 500 40 500 667 250 707 750 3 000 43 500 46 500 37 950 700 350 838 300
Free State / Vrystaat
840 000 370 000 1 210 000 4 704 000 2 405 000 7 109 000 865 000 360 000 1 225 000 4 238 500 2 520 000 6 758 500
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap
6 000 30 000 36 000 43 200 273 000 316 200 6 000 28 000 34 000 43 200 240 800 284 000
KwaZulu-Natal
47 000 72 000 119 000 291 400 640 800 932 200 50 000 66 000 116 000 325 000 617 100 942 100
Mpumalanga
172 000 368 000 540 000 1 032 000 2 704 800 3 736 800 168 000 362 500 530 500 1 142 400 2 918 125 4 060 525
Limpopo
16 000 20 000 36 000 108 800 170 000 278 800 10 000 18 500 28 500 71 000 159 100 230 100
Gauteng
60 500 65 000 125 500 356 950 474 500 831 450 57 500 70 000 127 500 382 375 549 500 931 875
North West / Noordwes
520 000 80 000 600 000 2 600 000 512 000 3 112 000 475 300 78 000 553 300 2 257 675 487 500 2 745 175
Total / Totaal
1 664 700 1 051 500 2 716 200 9 178 690 7 885 350 17 064 040 1 635 000 1 030 000 2 665 000 8 500 000 8 225 000 16 725 000
Sunflower seed / Sonneblomsaad
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Province / Provinsie Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Ha Tons Ha Tons
2026 2026 2025 2025
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap 0 0 0 0
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap 500 1 150 1 000 2 400
Free State / Vrystaat 309 000 509 850 264 500 383 525
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap 500 1 000 700 1 435
KwaZulu-Natal 1 500 3 000 1 000 2 000
Mpumalanga 6 000 9 000 2 500 3 625
Limpopo 96 500 96 500 90 000 90 000
Gauteng 1 100 1 430 1 000 1 400
North West / Noordwes 155 000 255 750 195 000 224 250
Total / Totaal 570 100 877 680 555 700 708 635
Soybeans / Sojabone
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Province / Provinsie Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Ha Tons Ha Tons
2026 2026 2025 2025
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap 200 700 0 0
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap 2 000 7 000 2 000 7 600
Free State / Vrystaat 607 000 1 396 100 568 000 1 306 400
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap 7 500 25 500 5 500 16 775
KwaZulu-Natal 44 000 178 200 47 000 183 300
Mpumalanga 314 500 660 450 315 000 771 750
Limpopo 17 500 63 000 16 500 51 975
Gauteng 55 000 126 500 52 000 114 400
North West / Noordwes 165 000 453 750 148 000 347 800
Total / Totaal 1 212 700 2 911 200 1 154 000 2 800 000
Groundnuts / Grondbone
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Province / Provinsie Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Ha Tons Ha Tons
2026 2026 2025 2025
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap 0 0 0 0
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap 2 550 7 139 3 100 8 525
Free State / Vrystaat 16 750 21 775 21 800 29 648
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap 0 0 0 0
KwaZulu-Natal 200 420 175 182
Mpumalanga 0 0 0 0
Limpopo 2 650 5 963 1 650 2 970
Gauteng 0 0 0 0
North West / Noordwes 22 500 22 500 22 025 22 025
Total / Totaal 44 650 57 798 48 750 63 350
Dry beans / Droëbone
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Province / Provinsie Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Ha Tons Ha Tons
2026 2026 2025 2025
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap 100 200 100 200
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap 1 000 2 600 950 2 280
Free State / Vrystaat 9 500 14 250 17 500 28 875
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap 170 340 200 400
KwaZulu-Natal 1 250 1 875 3 000 5 100
Mpumalanga 1 900 3 040 2 320 4 176
Limpopo 17 700 44 250 11 100 30 525
Gauteng 800 1 520 950 1 900
North West / Noordwes 6 500 11 375 9 500 17 100
Total / Totaal 38 920 79 450 45 620 90 556
Sorghum
Area planted and fourth production forecast  2026  Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting
Province / Provinsie Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Fourth forecast
Vierde skatting
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Ha Tons Ha Tons
2026 2026 2025 2025
Western Cape / Wes-Kaap 0 0 0 0
Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap 0 0 0 0
Free State / Vrystaat 10 500 32 550 13 000 47 450
Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap 100 300 200 620
KwaZulu-Natal 100 350 100 375
Mpumalanga 7 400 38 480 9 200 44 620
Limpopo 21 000 58 800 13 000 40 950
Gauteng 550 2 255 850 3 485
North West / Noordwes 5 350 16 318 5 000 16 500
Total / Totaal 45 000 149 053 41 350 154 000

Summer crops / Somergewasse
Area estimate and fourth production forecast (2026) Oppervlakte- en vierde produksieskatting

Summer field crops – 2026

Commercial maize

The size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 17,064 million tons, which is 1,36% or 228 940 tons more than the previous forecast of 16,835 million tons. This is the largest maize crop on record. The area estimate for total maize is 2,716 million ha while the expected yield is 6,28 t/ha.

The estimated maize crop is 2,03% or 339 040 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.

The production forecast of white maize is 9,179 million tons, which is 1,04% or 94 040 tons more than the 9,085 million tons of the previous forecast. The area estimate for white maize is 1,665 million ha with an expected yield of 5,46 t/ha.

In the case of yellow maize, is 7,885 million ton, which is 1,74% or 134 900 tons more than the 7,750 million tons of the previous forecast. The area estimate for yellow maize is 1,052 million ha with an expected yield of 7,50 t/ha.

The yield per ha for the Free State and North West provinces were mainly based on scientific and objective results provided by the ARC.

Other summer crops

Sunflower seed: The production forecast for sunflower seed is 877 680 tons, which is 6,82% or 56 050 tons more than the previous forecast of 821 630 tons. The area estimate for sunflower seed is 570 100 ha, while the expected yield is 1,54 t/ha.

Other crops

The production forecast for soybeans increased by 3,64% or 102 275 tons to 2,911 million tons. This is the largest soybean crop on record. The estimated area planted to soybeans is 1 212 700 ha, with an expected yield of 2,40 t/ha.

The expected groundnut crop decreased by 16,67% or 11 563 tons from 69 360 tons to 57 798 tons. For groundnuts, the area estimate is 44 650 ha, with an expected yield of 1,29 t/ha.

The production forecast for sorghum is 149 053 tons, which represents an increase of 5,97% or 8 400 ton as compared to the 140 653 tons of the previous month. The area estimate for sorghum is 45 000 ha and the expected yield is 3,31 t/ha.

In the case of dry beans, the production forecast remained unchanged at 79 450 ton. The area estimate of dry beans is 38 920 ha and the expected yield is 2,04 t/ha.


Please note that the fifth production forecast for summer field crops for 2026 will be released on 25 June 2026.

Information is available online at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or SAGIS, as from 14:30 on the date of the relevant meeting of the Crop Estimates Committee.

Somergewasse – 2026

Kommersiële mielies

Die grootte van die verwagte kommersiële mielie-oes is op 17,064 miljoen ton gestel, wat 1,36% of 228 940 ton meer is as die vorige skatting van 16,835 miljoen ton. Dit is die grootste mielie-oes op rekord. Die oppervlakteskatting vir totale mielies is 2,716 miljoen ha terwyl die verwagte opbrengs 6,28 t/ha is.

Die geskatte mielie-oes is 2,03% of 339 040 ton meer as die 2025-oes. Die drie belangrikste mielieproduserende gebiede, naamlik die Vrystaat, Mpumalanga en Noordwes provinsies, gaan na ver­wagting 82% van die 2026-oes produseer.

Die produksieskatting van witmielies is 9,179 miljoen ton, wat 1,04% of 94 040 ton meer is as die 9,085 miljoen ton van die vorige skatting. Die oppervlakteskatting vir witmielies is 1,665 miljoen ha en die verwagte opbrengs is 5,51 t/ha.

In die geval van geelmielies is die produksieskatting 7,885 miljoen ton, wat 1,74% of 134 900 ton meer is as die 7,750 miljoen ton van die vorige skatting. Die oppervlakteskatting vir geel­mielies is 1,052 miljoen ha en die verwagte opbrengs is 7,50 t/ha.

Die opbrengs-bepaling per ha vir die Vrystaat en Noordwes pro­vinsies is hoofsaaklik gebaseer op wetenskaplike en objek­tiewe resultate verstrek deur die LNR.

Ander somergewasse

Sonneblomsaad: Die produksieskatting vir sonneblomsaad is 877 680 ton, wat 6,82% of 56 050 ton meer is as die vorige skatting van 821 630 ton. Die oppervlakteskatting vir sonneblomsaad is 570 100 ha, terwyl die verwagte opbrengs 1,54 t/ha is.

Ander gewasse

Die produksieskatting van sojabone is vermeerder met 3,64% of 102 275 ton na 2,911 miljoen ton. Hierdie is die grootste sojaboon-oes op rekord. Die geskatte oppervlakte beplant van sojabone is 1 212 700 ha, met 'n verwagte opbrengs van 2,40 t/ha.

Die verwagte grondbone-oes is verlaag met 16,67% of 11 563 ton vanaf 69 360 ton na 57 798 tons. Vir grondbone is die opper­vlak­teskatting 44 650 ha, terwyl the verwagte opbrengs 1,29 t/ha is.

Die produksieskatting van sorghum is 149 053 ton, wat 'n toename van 5,97% of 8 400 ton verteenwoordig in vergelyking met die 140 653 ton van die vorige maand. Die oppervlakte­skatting vir sorghum is 45 000 ha, en die verwagte opbrengs is 3,31 t/ha.

In die geval van droëbone is die produksieskatting onveranderd gelaat op 79 450 ton. Die oppervlakte beplant met droëbone is 38 920 ha en die verwagte opbrengs is 2,04 t/ha.


Neem asseblief kennis dat die vyfde produksieskatting vir somer­gewasse vir 2026, op 25 Junie 2026 vrygestel sal word.

Inligting is beskikbaar aanlyn by die Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of by SAGIS, vanaf 14:30 op die dag van die toepaslike vergadering van die Oesskattings­komitee.

Non-commercial maize / Nie-kommersiële mielies
Area planted and production estimate  2026  Oppervlakte- en produksieskatting
Crop / Gewas Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Production
Produksie
Area planted
Oppervlakte beplant
Final crop
Finale oes
Change
Verandering
2026 2026 2025 2025
Ha Tons Ha Tons %
(A) (B) (C) (D) (B) ÷ (D)
Non-commercial agriculture / Nie-kommersiële landbou
  White maize / Witmielies 261 305 390 720 252 030 389 410 +0.3
  Yellow maize / Geelmielies 135 865 304 305 105 970 232 090 +31.1
Maize / Mielies 397 170 695 025 358 000 621 500 +11.8

The area planted to maize in the non-commercial agricultural sector is estimated at 397 170 ha, which represents an increase of 10,94%, compared to the 358 000 ha of the previous season. The expected maize crop for this sector is 695 025 tons, which is 11,83% more than the 621 500 tons of last season. It is important to note that about 36,96% of the maize produced in the non-commercial sector, is planted in the Eastern Cape, followed by Limpopo with 31,00% and then KwaZulu-Natal with 21,90%.

Die voorlopige oppervlakte beplant met mielies in die nie-kommersiële landbou-sektor word geskat op 397 170 ha, wat 'n toename van 10,94% verteenwoordig in vergelyking met die 358 000 ha van die vorige seisoen. Die verwagte mielie-oes van dié sektor is 695 025 ton, wat 11,83% meer is as die 621 500 ton van die vorige seisoen. Dit is belangrik om daarop te let dat ongeveer 36,96% van die mielies wat geproduseer word in die nie-kommersiële sektor, in die Oos-Kaap geplant word, gevolg deur Limpopo met 31,00% en dan KwaZulu-Natal met 21,90%.

Non-commercial maize / Nie-kommersiële mielies
Area   2000-2026   Oppervlakte
Area planted to non-commercial maize: 2000-2026 graph
Non-commercial maize / Nie-kommersiële mielies
Production   2000-2026   Produksie
Production of non-commercial maize: 2000-2026 graph

CONFIDENTIALITY ISSUES that CEC members are committed to adhere to on the day of the meeting

  • Personal items such as laptops, handbags, cell phones, etc. are not allowed in the venue during the meeting.
  • The embargo time for the release of crop estimates information is 15:30.
  • No member is allowed to discuss crop estimates information with anyone other than a member of the Committee before the embargo time.
  • Only the Chairperson, or a member appointed by the Chairperson, may release the figures to the media.
  • Members must regard the detail of any information that was collected for and/or discussed during the meeting, as confidential.
  • Individual information received for crop estimate purposes is treated strictly confidential, and is not divulged for any other purposes.