Bumper maize harvest as farmers wait for payments

Namibia’s estimated 114 000-tonne maize harvest has eased pressure on farm storage, but the bumper crop has left farmers grappling with storage costs and delayed payments.The Agronomy Producers’ Association (APA) said the 2026 harvest was one of the largest recorded in Namibia to date.While a notable achievement, it also exposed challenges in storage capacity, milling demand and the timing of producer payments.Despite favourable maize prices, slower maize meal sales in June and July reduced milling activity and led to temporary closures at some mills.The APA said producers initially delivered their maize without restrictions, but deliveries were interrupted in mid-June and only resumed in mid-July. The disruption created a backlog as harvesting continued, placing additional pressure on available storage capacity.To manage the situation, the APA coordinated scheduled deliveries from producers in the central and Karst production zones. Weekly delivery allocations were based on available producer volumes and the intake capacity of mills.This required regular updates on outstanding tonnages and continued engagement between producers and millers to ensure deliveries could proceed in an orderly manner.Additional storage From early August, silo bags were introduced at mill premises to provide additional storage capacity and accommodate the large volumes of maize being harvested.The APA confirmed that all maize has now been delivered to the mills, easing the immediate storage pressure on farms.However, the association cautioned that delivery does not necessarily mean the maize has been bought, with substantial volumes still belonging to producers and remaining in silo bags.This means farmers continue to carry storage and handling costs while waiting for millers to purchase their grain.The APA has consequently extended its engagement with millers beyond delivery arrangements, focusing on purchasing timelines, additional milling capacity, possible maize reallocations and outstanding storage costs.At Otavi, maize stored at Namib Mills is also available for purchase by other millers through the applicable arrangements.Payments are being made as maize is purchased, meaning producers will receive their income over the coming months rather than immediately after delivery.The delayed cash flow presents an additional challenge for mixed crop and livestock farmers, particularly as opportunities to market cattle are also restricted by foot-and-mouth disease.The APA acknowledged the cooperation of Namib Mills and participating millers in facilitating maize intake and storage, as well as producers’ patience and cooperation with the scheduled delivery arrangements.

Bumper maize harvest as farmers wait for payments

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

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Bumper maize harvest as farmers wait for payments

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

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