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Commodity watch · updated Nov 13, 7:44 AM EST

South Africa: commodities

For every crop USDA forecasts and every country that matters for it: USDA's crop outlook, the weather forecast over the main growing regions at the crop's stage, trade, prices and hedge funds' bets, and how much our sources are saying about it. A plain score from 0 to 100 says how much the supply looks at risk, and when the risk is real but the news is quiet, the watch raises a flag. Now: 800 cards for 62 commodities, 5 flagged.

Sunflower oil

15· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 417,000 t in 2026/27, up 17.1% on last year, 2% of the world's; raised 33.2% in November
TradeExports 70,000 t; imports 100,000 t
MarketSunflower oil $1,413/mt in October, up 1.4% on the month, up 3.7% on the year, the highest since August 2026
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days
Why 15
  • +10 USDA expects a crop 17% bigger than last year's: room for a cut
  • +5 USDA raised its estimate 33.2% in November

Sunflower seed

15· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 1.1 million t in 2026/27, up 22.3% on last year, 2% of the world's; raised 46.6% in November
TradeExports 30,000 t; imports 2,000 t
MarketSunflower oil $1,413/mt in October, up 1.4% on the month, up 3.7% on the year, the highest since August 2026
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days
Why 15
  • +10 USDA expects a crop 22% bigger than last year's: room for a cut
  • +5 USDA raised its estimate 46.6% in November

Sunflower meal

15· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 425,000 t in 2026/27, up 17.4% on last year, 2% of the world's; raised 33.2% in November
TradeExports 50,000 t; imports 5,000 t
Why 15
  • +10 USDA expects a crop 17% bigger than last year's: room for a cut
  • +5 USDA raised its estimate 33.2% in November

Oranges

10· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 1.9 million t in 2025/26, down 0% on last year, 4% of the world's
WeatherLow risk. Limpopo (Letsitele): Highs of 38.9°C forecast, 1 day at 38°C or more, while the crop is blooming
TradeExports 1.5 million t, 30% of the world's; imports 7,000 t
MarketOrange $0.75/kg in October, down 5.1% on the month, down 28.6% on the year, the lowest since February 2022
News5 reports in our sources in the last 14 days
Why 10
  • +10 Some weather risk. Limpopo (Letsitele): Highs of 38.9°C forecast, 1 day at 38°C or more, while the crop is blooming

Lemons and limes

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 840,000 t in 2025/26, up 3.7% on last year, 8% of the world's
TradeExports 690,000 t, 29% of the world's; imports 3,000 t
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Grapefruit

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 430,000 t in 2025/26, up 1.2% on last year, 6% of the world's
TradeExports 255,000 t, 40% of the world's; imports 8,000 t, 1% of the world's
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Orange juice

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 36,700 t in 2025/26, down 8.7% on last year, 3% of the world's
TradeExports 35,000 t, 3% of the world's; imports 1,000 t
MarketOrange $0.75/kg in October, down 5.1% on the month, down 28.6% on the year, the lowest since February 2022
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Tangerines and mandarins

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 1 million t in 2025/26, up 2% on last year, 3% of the world's
TradeExports 875,000 t, 18% of the world's; imports 4,000 t
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Fish meal

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 120,000 t in 2025/26, down 0% on last year, 2% of the world's
TradeExports 60,000 t, 2% of the world's; imports 1,000 t
MarketFish meal $2,840/mt in October, down 2.6% on the month, up 60.5% on the year, the lowest since August 2026
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Pears

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 550,000 t in 2025/26, up 1.9% on last year, 2% of the world's
TradeExports 300,000 t, 15% of the world's; imports 20 t
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Apples

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 1.4 million t in 2025/26, up 2.2% on last year, 2% of the world's
TradeExports 695,000 t, 11% of the world's; imports 50 t
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Beef

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 930,000 t in 2027, down 2.1% on last year, 2% of the world's
TradeExports 35,000 t; imports 5,000 t; bought 0 t of US beef in the week to Oct 29; 28 t shipped this marketing year (0 t a year earlier)
MarketBeef $6.83/kg in October, down 0.4% on the month, down 3.7% on the year, the lowest since July 2025; hedge funds betting on higher prices (49,691 contracts net)
News5 reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Chicken

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 1.7 million t in 2027, up 3% on last year, 2% of the world's
TradeExports 45,000 t; imports 280,000 t, 2% of the world's
MarketChicken $1.84/kg in October, up 1.7% on the month, up 7% on the year, the highest since May 2026
News6 reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Corn (maize)

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 15 million t in 2026/27, down 18.5% on last year, 1% of the world's; cut 9.1% in November
WeatherNo weather risk in the next 10 days in the main growing regions
TradeExports 2.2 million t, 1% of the world's
MarketMaize $226.5/mt in October, down 5.5% on the month, up 14.3% on the year, the lowest since August 2026; hedge funds betting on higher prices (8,795 contracts net)
News1 report in our sources in the last 14 days
Why 0
  • -10 USDA already cut its estimate 9.1% in November

Sugar

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 2.1 million t in 2026/27, up 2.2% on last year, 1% of the world's
TradeExports 750,000 t, 1% of the world's; imports 450,000 t
MarketWorld sugar $0.43/kg in October, up 4.9% on the month, up 26.5% on the year, the highest since December 2024; hedge funds betting on higher prices (223,784 contracts net)
News2 reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Peaches and nectarines

0· no cut expected
CropUSDA: 136,200 t in 2026/27, down 0% on last year
TradeExports 30,000 t, 3% of the world's; imports 1,000 t
NewsNo reports in our sources in the last 14 days

Bought from the US

USDA's weekly export sales, the week to October 29, 2026: new sales less cancellations, and this marketing year's shipments.

CommodityThis weekShipped this year
wheat0 t12,100 ta year earlier 194,955
beef0 t28 ta year earlier 0
pork0 t0 ta year earlier 144

Who buys its commodities

Its biggest commodity exports (farm, energy, metals) in 2024 and their main buyers, by value (CEPII BACI, January 2026 release, from UN trade statistics; Etalab Open Licence 2.0).

  • Gold $29 billionChina 31%, United Kingdom 22%, India 22%, Switzerland 9.6%
  • Platinum $7.5 billionChina 31%, Japan 22%, United Kingdom 14%, United States 13%
  • Coal $6.9 billionIndia 43%, South Korea 8.6%, Vietnam 5.9%, Japan 5.7%
  • Iron ore $6.6 billionChina 51%, Netherlands 12%, Mozambique 10%, South Korea 9.1%
  • Aluminium $2.2 billionMexico 22%, United States 19%, Netherlands 12%, Japan 11%
  • Copper $1.3 billionChina 73%, Mozambique 9.3%, Taiwan 7.2%, Italy 2.7%
  • Table grapes $956 millionNetherlands 42%, United Kingdom 18%, Canada 6%, Fed. Rep. of Germany (...1990) 3.7%
  • Oranges $842 millionNetherlands 20%, United Arab Emirates 9.5%, Russia 5.9%, United States 5.9%
  • Corn (maize) $839 millionZimbabwe 65%, Botswana 9.4%, Mozambique 6.4%, Eswatini 5.3%
  • Tangerines and mandarins $713 millionNetherlands 19%, United Kingdom 16%, Russia 8.2%, United States 6.2%

Where its commodities come from

Its biggest commodity imports in 2024 and where they come from, by value.

  • Crude oil $5.2 billionNigeria 48%, Saudi Arabia 17%, Angola 15%, United States 8.2%
  • Gold $3.2 billionTanzania 69%, Côte d'Ivoire 13%, Ghana 9.1%, Zambia 3.2%
  • Rice $637 millionThailand 77%, India 20%, Pakistan 1.3%, Vietnam 1.3%
  • Wheat $547 millionRussia 31%, Australia 24%, Lithuania 21%, Poland 12%
  • Palm oil $497 millionIndonesia 62%, Malaysia 37%, United States 0.9%, Spain 0.1%
  • Coal $484 millionAustralia 47%, Eswatini 16%, United States 12%, Russia 7.5%
  • Natural gas $416 millionMozambique 100%
  • Chicken $365 millionBrazil 81%, Spain 5.2%, Argentina 4.8%, United States 3.6%
  • Sugar $361 millionEswatini 68%, Brazil 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg (...1998) 1.6%, India 0.7%
  • Urea $324 millionSaudi Arabia 32%, Qatar 23%, Oman 20%, Nigeria 9.8%

South Africa's country page

Prices, October 2026

The World Bank's monthly averages in US dollars (the Pink Sheet, updated November 3), against the month before and a year before. Licensed CC BY 4.0.

CommodityPriceMonthYear
Energy
Crude oil, average108.5 $/bbl+6.1%+72.2%
Crude oil, Brent125 $/bbl+7%+93.2%
Crude oil, Dubai102.7 $/bbl+10.1%+59.7%
Crude oil, WTI97.7 $/bbl+0.8%+62.3%
Coal, Australian152.3 $/mt+3.5%+41.7%
Coal, South African100 $/mt+1.8%+9.2%
Natural gas, US2.96 $/mmbtu+0.3%−7.5%
Natural gas, Europe28.5 $/mmbtu+12.1%+161.7%
Liquefied natural gas, Japan16.59 $/mmbtu+2%+49.5%
Natural gas index182.7 2010=100+8.9%+86.2%
Beverages
Cocoa5.75 $/kg−2.9%−3.4%
Coffee, Arabica7.4 $/kg+1.9%−16.9%
Coffee, Robusta3.63 $/kg−1.6%−23.4%
Tea, avg 3 auctions2.88 $/kg+0.7%−4.3%
Tea, Colombo3.75 $/kg+0.5%−4.8%
Tea, Kolkata2.55 $/kg+0.8%−10.8%
Tea, Mombasa2.33 $/kg+1.3%+4.5%
Food
Coconut oil2,029 $/mt−2.4%−20.3%
Groundnuts1,600 $/mt+2.4%+33.3%
Fish meal2,840 $/mt−2.6%+60.5%
Groundnut oil1,850 $/mt−0.5%+13.6%
Palm oil1,120 $/mt−5.1%+7.9%
Palm kernel oil2,287 $/mt−2.9%+0.6%
Soybeans515 $/mt−1.7%+27.5%
Soybean oil1,546 $/mt−4.3%+36.6%
Soybean meal453 $/mt+1.3%+27.2%
Rapeseed oil1,405 $/mt−2.6%+11.2%
Sunflower oil1,413 $/mt+1.4%+3.7%
Barley80.4 $/mtAugust 2020——
Maize226.5 $/mt−5.5%+14.3%
Sorghum189.5 $/mtAugust 2020——
Rice, Thai 5%489 $/mt+1.5%+37.4%
Rice, Thai 25%472 $/mt+2.4%+34.5%
Rice, Thai A.1467.4 $/mt−1.2%+39.1%
Rice, Viet Namese 5%413.9 $/mt−1.1%+13.2%
Wheat, US SRW260.3 $/mt−6.6%+24.4%
Wheat, US HRW317 $/mt−8.6%+37.3%
Banana, Europe1.1 $/kg−1.8%−2.7%
Banana, US1.18 $/kg+5.4%+4.4%
Orange0.75 $/kg−5.1%−28.6%
Beef6.83 $/kg−0.4%−3.7%
Chicken1.84 $/kg+1.7%+7%
Lamb7.48 $/kg+3%+18.2%
Shrimps, Mexican8.6 $/kgOctober 2023——
Sugar, EU0.37 $/kg−2.6%−2.6%
Sugar, US0.92 $/kg+8.2%+19.5%
Sugar, world0.43 $/kg+4.9%+26.5%
Raw materials
Tobacco, US import u.v.6,775 $/mtJuly 2026——
Logs, Cameroon392.1 $/cubic meter−2.7%−3.7%
Logs, Malaysian188.5 $/cubic meter−0.9%−4.1%
Sawnwood, Cameroon636.8 $/cubic meter−0.9%−0.5%
Sawnwood, Malaysian724.3 $/cubic meter−1%−0.5%
Plywood345.8 cents/sheet−0.9%−4.1%
Cotton, A Index2 $/kg−4.8%+19%
Rubber, TSR202.55 $/kg+5.8%+49.1%
Rubber, RSS32.83 $/kg+2.9%+41.5%
Fertilizers
Phosphate rock170 $/mt0%+11.5%
DAP803.1 $/mt+0.3%+6.5%
TSP692 $/mt+0.3%+5.1%
Urea420 $/mt+3.1%+6.5%
Potassium chloride357.5 $/mt−2.7%+1.6%
Metals and minerals
Aluminum3,061 $/mt−6.8%+9.6%
Iron ore, cfr spot90.8 $/dmtu−7.1%−12.3%
Copper14,508 $/mt+0.2%+35.1%
Lead1,860 $/mt−0.7%−5.5%
Tin51,696 $/mt−3.8%+43.6%
Nickel15,436 $/mt−5.4%+2.3%
Zinc3,818 $/mt−5%+21.1%
Precious metals
Gold4,105 $/troy oz−5%+1.2%
Platinum1,621 $/troy oz−9.1%+0.3%
Silver57 $/troy oz−11.8%+15.4%

The record

Each card's score calls USDA's next revision of the country's crop: 50 or more “cut likely”, 30 to 49 “cut possible”, under 30 “no cut expected”. When USDA revises (grains, oilseeds and cotton every month, about the 10th; coffee and sugar twice a year), the last call before it is checked against what USDA did.

CallCallsUSDA cutRaisedUnchanged
no cut expected4033032341
cut possible1010

Sources

Crop figures: USDA FAS (PSD, Weekly Export Sales). Prices: World Bank Commodity Price Data (The Pink Sheet), CC BY 4.0. Hedge funds: CFTC Commitments of Traders. Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), normals from NASA POWER. Trade partners: CEPII BACI (Etalab Open Licence 2.0). Crop calendars after USDA FAS's; growing regions are the main ones of each main producer.

The same readings as data, free: GET /api/v1/commodities (and /map, /country/{code}, /prices, /weather, /scorecard).