The latest white maize spot price increased week-on-week to R5167 while the July ’25 price rose to R4261 per ton. The yellow maize spot price dropped to R3882 per ton while the July ’25 price fell to R3820.

The Rand currently plays an extremely important role in local price movements, especially when we look at yellow maize and wheat prices. The slight weakening of the Rand on Monday morning once again caused prices to rise on the day, which only indicates the sensitivity of the prices to exchange rate movements at present. The Rand is relatively strong at the moment and, together with harvest pressure, this puts pressure on yellow maize prices. If the harvest pressure moves out of the market and the Rand weakens again, it can support prices once more. Also keep an eye on the weather conditions in America; if it becomes dry and warm there, it can also support prices. White maize prices are expected to remain in a supportive environment for the year due to stock shortages, but remember, higher prices this year can lead to higher planting and supply for the next season. So be careful to only look at white maize next season.

The soybean spot price remains at R8815, with the May ’25 price now at R8200 per ton. I think we are at a fairly sensitive point for soybean prices with reasonably good support around the R8700 mark. Fortunately, we have moved away from it a bit, but if we go below those levels, it could mean even lower prices. Next week, there will be an acreage report from America, which will also provide more direction. We also see that the sunflower spot price has dropped week-on-week to R8655 while the May ’25 price has fallen to R8600 per ton.

The wheat spot price remained sideways week-on-week and traded at R6080, with the December price higher at R6152 per ton. There is still harvest pressure in America pushing prices down, which, along with the stronger Rand, continues to put pressure on SAFEX prices. We are again at price levels from 2 months ago, where we had good support around the R5850 mark.

The sorghum import parity price landed in Durban fell last week with the stronger Rand to R5514 per ton. The producer import parity price of shelled Argentine peanuts dropped to R27 803 per ton while the cotton import parity price fell to R10 279 per ton.