Maize crop yields are expected to drop by 18% in South Africa in 2024 because of heatwaves and droughts brought on by El Niño, a weather phenomenon that can last for months.

In North West, maize harvests are projected to drop by almost half from 2023’s yields. Other significant drops are expected in Limpopo (35%) and Free State (21%), which is South Africa’s main maize-producing province.

The impact of the hotter-than-usual summer months on the maize growing season have been felt across the region. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe declared states of disaster earlier this year.

While still heavily impacted by the drier summer months, South Africa has fared better than its neighbours because of the ‘differences in farming practices, better timing of the planting window, and the improved seed cultivars’, says Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa.