El Niño Threatens Maize Harvests in Southern Africa and Central America
- Reports
- 2
- Developments
- 4
- Repetition
- 50%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
El Niño conditions are currently present and are likely to reach very strong intensity by November to January. This weather pattern is threatening maize seasons in Southern Africa and posing crop yield risks to Central America. If a severe El Niño develops, South Africa’s maize harvest could shrink by as much as 40% compared to previous record seasons.
From thesouthafrican.com, cgiar.org
Why it matters
The El Niño cycle increases drought risk across multiple regions, which pressures global food prices. Although past El Niño events have seen losses in some crops offset by gains in others, the pressure on affected regions remains significant for food systems.
The El Niño cycle increases drought risk across Southern Africa, Sahel, Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, pressuring global food prices.
From cgiar.org
Who's involved
- Southern AfricaRegion facing adverse environmental impacts from El Niño, including drought and food insecurity.
- Central AmericaSubregion facing crop yield risks and severe drought due to El Niño.
- El NinoClimate pattern driving drought and crop failures in Southern Africa and Central America.
- South AfricaCountry whose maize harvest is highly vulnerable to El Niño-driven drought.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Central AmericaSpeculative
Central America could face reduced agricultural output due to direct crop yield risks.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- El Niño crop risks could increase food insecurity warnings for WFPIncreased crop risks in Southern Africa may heighten acute food insecurity warnings for WFPLikely
- El Niño crop risks may increase European Commission's support in Southern AfricaEl Niño crop risks may increase European Commission's support in Southern AfricaPossible
- El Niño could threaten maize harvests and rural incomes in MalawiEl Niño could threaten maize harvests and rural incomes in MalawiPossible
- El Niño crop risks may stress Southern African economic integrationCrop yield risks could strain Southern African economic integration efforts.Possible
- El Niño could slash South Africa's maize harvest by up to 40%South Africa's maize harvest could shrink by up to 40% due to El NiñoPossible
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- El Niño climate pattern devastated corn and bean crops in Guatemala and Honduras.Sub-event
- Malawi and Mozambique are facing simultaneous threats from severe weather, including cyclones and El Niño-induced drought, severely impacting food security in Southern Africa.Sub-event
- El Nino drives wheat output below average in Argentina, while both Argentina and Zambia forecast stronger harvests.Sub-event
El Niño threatens crop yields and maize seasons in Southern Africa and Central America.1 source
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Southern Africa
southernmost region of Africa
- Southern African leaders are grappling with regional challenges, including the SADC summit in Durban, political instability in member states, and regional crises.
- Romy Parker is working to improve pain management across Southern Africa, serving on the council of the International Association for the Study of Pain.
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Central America
subregion of the Americas
- El Nino
Related events
- El Nino could affect agricultural output across Africa while an IMF official discusses the continent's economic outlook.
- El Nino is affecting rainfall patterns across Southern Africa, prompting warnings of dry spells and impacting Malawians fleeing unrest in South Africa.
- El Niño is expected to trigger severe drought in Namibia, threatening livelihoods and agriculture in Botswana and South Africa.
- El Niño is causing severe droughts, heat waves, torrential rains, and flooding across Central America.
- El Niño is causing global floods, droughts, and crop losses, with past impacts noted in Mexico and Bolivia.