South African households could face higher food prices in 2027 as a strengthening El Niño weather pattern threatens the country’s next summer harvest. Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo has warned that hotter, drier conditions could affect crops planted from October 2026, with the impact potentially reaching supermarket shelves from mid 2027. For Gauteng consumers, the concern is that maize products and other everyday groceries could become more expensive despite food inflation remaining relatively low in 2026.