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Grains and oilseeds: farmers optimistic

Farmer's Weekly

November 21-28, 2025

As the 2025/26 summer crop season gets underway, South Africa's grain and oilseed markets are navigating a complex mix of local resilience and global uncertainty.

While international markets remain weighed down by record harvests and geopolitical disruptions, South African producers are cautiously optimistic, buoyed by early rainfall and the prospect of a La Niña weather pattern.

MAIZE

Global maize markets have entered the final quarter of 2025 under a cloud of uncertainty. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) maize prices have remained largely trading sideways in recent weeks. Year-on-year (y/y) prices increased by 2,4%, supported by a sharp rise in crude oil prices and persistent uncertainty around the final size of the US maize harvest. The recent imposition of US sanctions on major Russian oil suppliers, who collectively account for over 5% of global output, added upward pressure on energy markets.

Against this backdrop, South Africa's maize sector is entering the 2025/26 season on relatively solid footing.

Denne historien er fra November 21-28, 2025-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.

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