Prices of white maize grain rose abruptly in the three months to April 2024, reaching record highs, as markets reacted to the impact of the harsh drought on crops. Latest production forecasts point to a 20 percent decline in the 2024 white maize harvest compared to the five-year average. Weather conditions were moderately more favourable in yellow maize growing areas and prices of this grain, mainly used as feed, have risen less steeply as a result. An uptick in export demand for South African grain, as drought conditions are also dampening harvest prospects in neighbouring countries and causing increases in import needs, could add further upward pressure to white maize prices.