"We continue to see upside revisions of South Africa’s summer grain and oilseed production estimates," says Sihlobo, crediting the expanded area and excellent weather conditions. Record grains and oilseeds lead the surgeMaize production has led the agricultural boom, reaching an unprecedented historic high of 17.4 million tonnes, a 4% annual increase. The yields comprise 9.39 million tonnes of white maize and 7.97 million tonnes of yellow maize. Oilseeds also recorded major gains, with the soybean harvest hitting a record 3.04 million tonnes, surging 9% year-on-year due to high-area plantings and strong localised yields. "If the heatwaves we see in the northern hemisphere are any indication, then the upcoming summer crop season may be profoundly challenging," he notes.