South Africa resumes major maize exports as record harvest boosts outlook
South Africa’s South Africa Maydon Wharf Agribulk Terminal in Durban loaded its first maize export vessel since 2023, shipping 40,000 tonnes to Vietnam. Backed by terminal upgrades and a record 17.06-million-tonne maize harvest forecast, exports are expected to strengthen amid robust regional and international demand.
Transnet Port Terminal (TPT) has marked a significant milestone in South Africa’s agricultural export sector, with the Maydon Wharf Agribulk Terminal in Durban handling its first maize export vessel since December 2023.
The terminal is currently loading 40,000 tons of maize onto the MV Chang Hang Hong Hai, which is destined for Vietnam, signalling a return to stronger export activity as the country heads towards what is expected to be a record maize harvest.
Maydon Wharf agribulk terminal manager Sihle Mpungose said the terminal was optimistic about the season ahead, citing favourable crop prospects and strong collaboration with industry stakeholders.
“It positions the terminal to support increased maize export volumes,” Mpungose said, adding that focused maintenance and recent upgrades had enhanced the terminal’s ability to deliver a reliable service.
“The terminal recently refurbished the ship-loader boom belt, made upgrades to the remote-control antenna system, and improvements to the dust extraction system.”
Mpungose said that the terminal is fully prepared for increased volumes this season.
“We will reclaim maize from the grain elevator silos and annex bins, convey it through the terminal belt system, and load it onto the vessel via the quayside ship-loader at a planned rate of 350 tons per hour, with an anticipated turnaround time of five to six days per 40,000 tons parcel,” he said.
TPT said that annually, South Africa averaged about 2.4 million tons of export maize destined mainly to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Venezuela, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), said that excessive rains have presented challenges in some regions and despite this, the country’s export activity was likely to be robust and demand in the region was expected to be strong.
Earlier this week, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) said it was expecting a record maize crop in 2026. The CEC report placed the expected commercial maize crop at 17.064 million tons, representing an increase of 228,940 tons or 1.36% from the previous estimate of 16.835 million tons.
Dr Christiaan Mostert, from the University of Pretoria’s agricultural economics department, described the latest crop estimate as positive news for the agricultural sector.
“It improves the feed-grain outlook and reduces supply-side risk. The record soybean estimate strengthens the positive interpretation,” he said.
Mostert added that he does expect some downward pressure, but not necessarily a large or immediate decline.
“The latest crop estimate is supportive of this view, but actual feed prices will depend on yellow maize and soybean oilcake market prices, not only the headline maize crop size,” Mostert said.
“The late April/May rains can still influence yellow maize yields, especially for late-planted maize still in grain-fill. The CEC’s upward revision suggests that late moisture likely helped or at least supported yield potential in some areas.”
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Source : IOL
