Super El Niño Threatens Southern Africa's Bean Harvests, Raising Food Security Concerns
A 'super' El Niño event, expected to persist from September 2026 into early 2027, poses a significant threat to bean harvests in southern Africa. Legumes, particularly dry beans, are a primary staple and a crucial protein source in the region, but they are highly sensitive to water stress and high temperatures. Research indicates that extreme climate shocks, such as droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall, can reduce legume harvests by up to 78%. This potential reduction in yield directly threatens the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and could lead to increased food prices and reduced availability of affordable protein sources across southern Africa. The World Meteorological Organization has described this year's El Niño as exceptionally strong, intensifying concerns for agricultural output.
