The extreme heat and drought now ravaging Europe and North America are frightening, and we can’t pretend something similar won’t happen in Southern Africa this summer, especially with a severe El Niño phenomenon being forecast. Heatwaves in the 2026/2027 season could quickly deplete the soil moisture and dam storage that were looking more than adequate a short time ago following widespread rain.
In this episode of AgriView, we explore these issues and how the conflict in the Middle East, which continues simmering despite frequent reports of breakthroughs in peace talks, is likely to keep the price of fertiliser and fuel at uncomfortable levels. Changing weather patterns, dwindling rainfall prospects and rising input costs could shape South Africa’s 2026/27 agricultural season.
