Southern Africa continues to face severe climate and food supply challenges. A European Commission Joint Research Centre report published on September 21 warns that acute food insecurity remains at alarmingly high levels across the region. The Joint Research Centre notes that the El Nino climate phenomenon is a compounding risk expected to worsen conditions into late 2026 and 2027. The centre's agricultural drought forecasts also warn of drier-than-average conditions for regional neighbors including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Regional maize supplies remain tight as countries try to secure stable food sources. Recent agricultural trade data shows that South Africa exported 19,000 tonnes of maize to neighboring nations during the week leading up to September 18, according to Applied Derivatives. The exports targeted nations such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique as the region faces ongoing supply constraints.