South Africa is bracing for a potentially strong El Niño event during the 2026/27 summer season, raising concerns about drought and its impact on agriculture and food security.

The National Briefing · Oct 13, 2026 · 5m

South Africa is bracing for a potentially strong El Niño event during the 2026/27 summer season, raising concerns about drought and its impact on agriculture and food security. While the country is better positioned than during the 2015/16 drought, farmers still face significant risks, particularly from rising input costs and limited access to finance.

Guest: Mr Malapane Thamaga - Senior Economist for Grains and Oilseeds under Agricultural Regulatory Measures Division at National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)