Commercial maize production during the 2017/2018 season will total 12,93 million tons, 2,09% down from the previous estimate, according to the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).
Production for white maize is estimated at 6,8 million tons, 1,14% less than the August estimate. Yellow maize is forecasted at 6,1 million tons, a 3,12% decline from the prior estimate.
While the harvest is well below the previous season’s crop of 16,8 million tons, it is still above the long-term average production of 12 million tons, said Agbiz economist Wandile Sihlobo.
The production forecast for soya and sunflower remained unchanged, with the expected crops pegged at 1,551 million tons and 858 605t respectively.
Production for groundnuts is estimated to be 53 750t, 3,37% higher than the August estimate, while that of sorghum is estimated to be 109 855t, 4,5% higher than the last estimate.
In the case of dry beans, the production is estimated at 69 360t, 5,72% more than the previous forecast of 65 610t.
As for winter crops, the expected commercial production of wheat is 1,845 million tons, 2,05% more than the previous forecast of 1,808 million tons. Sihlobo attributed this to good rainfall for most parts of the Western Cape and more hectares planted in the Free State.
As for winter crops, the expected commercial production of wheat is 1,84 million tons, which is 2,05% more than the previous forecast of 1,81 million tons.
Sihlobo attributed this to good rainfall for most parts of the Western Cape and more hectares planted in the Free State.
