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Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen praised South Africa’s grain farmers for a record harvest. He said farmers achieved success despite high costs and low prices. Speaking at the Grain SA Producer of the Year Awards in Gauteng on 31 November 2025, he called the 2025 season “an incredible achievement.”
What Happened
The country’s total grain and oilseed harvest exceeded 23 million tonnes, a 30% increase compared to last year. The maize harvest alone reached 16.33 million tonnes, far above the national need of 12 million tonnes. “This success secures our food supply and strengthens South Africa’s role as a key regional supplier,” Steenhuisen said. He applauded producers for feeding the nation, creating jobs, and stabilizing the trade balance.
Official Response
While celebrating the strong harvest, the Minister warned that many farmers are under serious financial pressure. He said producers face financial squeeze from rising input costs and lower output prices caused by oversupply.
Steenhuisen warned that many farmers are under pressure. He said when crop prices drop but production costs rise, profits disappear. He added that wheat producers are struggling with rigid policies and high costs. Losing local wheat farmers, he warned, could cost consumers an extra R643 million to keep bread prices stable.
Community Impact
Steenhuisen said the challenges facing farmers are global, with similar struggles in the United States. He outlined several ways to boost competitiveness, including access to new breeding technologies and stronger research partnerships with organizations such as the ARC and Syngenta. He also stressed the need to improve logistics and exports while cutting red tape that slows progress in agriculture.
These priorities align with the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan, our roadmap for growth and competitiveness.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s support for producers, describing agriculture as a strategic national asset.
