Southern Africa’s Drought Drives Record U.S. Corn & Soybean Exports in 2024/25

Southern Africa’s Drought Drives Record U.S. Corn & Soybean Exports in 2024/25

U.S. corn and soybean exports to Southern Africa surged to a 30-year high in response to a region-wide drought and food insecurity, unlocking new trade pathways and strengthening U.S. farm incomes.

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📊 Export Overview (May 2024 – April 2025):

Commodity	Volume Exported	Value (USD)	Share of Total U.S. Ag Exports to Region
Corn	300,000 MT
Soybeans	165,000 MT	$140 million	~30%

• This export value is the highest in 30 years for U.S. corn and soybeans to Southern Africa.
• Main destinations: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, and Lesotho.

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🌍 Background: El Niño-Induced Drought & Crop Collapse

• In 2024, Southern Africa suffered a severe drought and heat stress, reducing:
  • Corn production by 30% – the smallest crop in 5 years.
  • Soybean production increased by 26%.
• Countries worst hit: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa.
• Rainfed farming dominates, with less than 20% under irrigation.

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⚙️ Regulatory Breakthrough: GE Crop Approvals

• The U.S. and South Africa resolved asynchronous approvals for genetically engineered (GE) corn and soybeans.
• This enabled the legal importation of U.S. GE grain:
  • GE soybeans approved Sept 30, 2024.
  • GE corn approved Nov 19, 2024.
• South Africa now permits imports of all relevant U.S. GE events for feed and food.

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🛒 Trade Impacts & Use by Region

• Corn: Southern Africa consumes ~25 MMT annually; 70% of U.S. corn exports were white corn for human consumption (porridge), key to regional diets.
• Soybeans: Regional demand ~3 MMT/year; 85% is crushed for animal feed. Most U.S. soybeans were destined for South Africa, which experienced:
  • A major drought-induced crop loss.
  • Strong demand to maintain soybean crushing capacity.
  • Over 1.5 MMT of added oilseed crushing capacity in the past decade.

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💬 Summary & Outlook

• This trade case underscores the strategic role of U.S. agriculture in global food security and emergency response.
• The U.S. not only filled an urgent supply gap but also built new long-term commercial relationships.
• With ongoing climate risk and infrastructure gaps in Southern Africa, U.S. agricultural exports are likely to remain a cornerstone of food system resilience in the region.

Source: USDA