Grain producers warn of growing profit pressure at 2026 Grain SA Congress
Farmers warn that rising costs and weak prices threaten the future of grain production in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA – Grain producers and industry leaders gathered at the Grain SA Congress 2026 at NAMPO Park in Bothaville on 11 and 12 March 2026 and delivered a strong warning about the growing financial pressure on farmers.
The congress, organised by Grain SA, brought together 615 delegates, including 325 grain producers and 290 representatives from agribusiness, research bodies and government. Discussions focused on the widening gap between the cost of production and the income farmers receive from grain markets.
Delegates stressed that farm profitability directly affects national food security.
“Food security and farm profitability go hand in hand. If producers cannot remain profitable, the national food system becomes fragile,” participants said during the sessions.
Producers explained that rising input costs continue to reduce farm margins. Fertiliser accounts for between 35 percent and 50 percent of production costs on many farms, while fuel represents another 12 percent to 18 percent.
Many farmers now face an additional challenge. They bought inputs when market prices looked stronger but must sell crops into weaker markets.
Producers also pointed to policy uncertainty and slow administrative decisions as factors that complicate farm planning.
“Producers do not ask for protection from markets. They ask for a stable environment where rules remain clear and decisions arrive on time,” one delegate said.
Infrastructure problems also drew strong criticism. Farmers said damaged rural roads, expensive transport and declining rail efficiency continue to increase logistics costs and reduce farm income.
Maize outlook remains stable despite smaller crop
Recent crop forecasts show that South Africa will still produce a large maize harvest even though output may fall slightly in the current season.
The Crop Estimates Committee expects maize production to reach about 16.13 million metric tons in the 2025/26 season, about 3 percent lower than the 16.65 million tons harvested in 2024/25.
The forecast includes 8.51 million tons of white maize for human consumption and 7.62 million tons of yellow maize used mainly in animal feed.
Maize remains the country’s most important grain crop and a key export commodity within the Southern African Development Community region. South Africa typically consumes around 12 million tons of maize each year, which means the current forecast should still allow exports.
During the 2024/25 marketing season, the country shipped large maize volumes to regional markets such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. By mid-February 2026, maize exports had already reached about 1.6 million tons and could reach about 2.4 million tons by the end of the season.
“South Africa’s grain producers remain committed to feeding the country, but long term food security requires profitable farmers,” industry leaders concluded even with this supply outlook.
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