Gauteng: Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has hailed South Africa’s grain producers for delivering a record-breaking harvest this season, despite the economic pressures facing farmers due to rising input costs and falling commodity prices. Speaking at the Grain SA Grain Producer of the Year Awards held at the Birchwood Hotel in Gauteng on Friday night, Steenhuisen described the 2025 season as ‘an incredible achievement,’ with the country’s total grain and oilseed harvest exceeding 23 million tonnes, a 30% increase compared to last year.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister expressed that the maize harvest alone, totaling a staggering 16.33 million tons, far exceeds the national need of 12 million tons. This achievement not only secures the country’s food supply but also strengthens South Africa’s position as a key regional supplier. Steenhuisen commended the resilience and contribution of grain producers, emphasizing their role in feeding the nation, bringing in crucial foreign currency, stabilizing the trade balance, and creating thousands of jobs.
While celebrating the bumper crop, Steenhuisen also highlighted the financial challenges faced by farmers. He pointed out that the current abundance has led to a ‘financial squeeze,’ impacting farmers’ bottom line due to lower output prices and rising operational costs. These increased costs are driven by higher prices for fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and labor, which severely affect profit margins.
The Minister noted that wheat producers are particularly under pressure due to a policy environment not focused on long-term sustainability. He warned that the loss of domestic wheat producers could cost South African consumers an additional R643 million to maintain current bread quality. Drawing parallels with the United States, Steenhuisen stated that the situation in South Africa mirrors a global challenge of rising production costs and falling grain prices.
To address these issues, Steenhuisen outlined government priorities aimed at supporting farmers and protecting the sector’s competitiveness. Key interventions include access to new breeding technologies, encouraging investment in innovation, and improving logistics at all levels. The government is also engaging with other countries to prioritize exporting farmers and focusing on regulatory efficiency to reduce unnecessary red tape.
Steenhuisen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working alongside producers to protect agriculture as a strategic national asset. He emphasized the importance of partnership to ensure that South African grain remains respected worldwide, stating that together, they can secure a profitable and proud future for South African agriculture.