The extremely isolated and well-below normal rainfall in South Africa’s maize-producing areas have resulted in deteriorating growing conditions, and as a result the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has once again revised its forecast for the crop downwards for the 2006/07 season.
In its second production forecast for summer crops, released last week, the CEC said the size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 6,907 million tons, 11% lower than the previous forecast of 7,757 million tons. It said that based on new information, the area planted to maize in the Free has been adjusted downwards to 1,020 million hectares, bringing the total area planted to maize to 2,547 million hectares. The area estimate for white maize is 1,625 million hectares, and 922 000ha for yellow maize.
Some 4,063 million tons of white maize is estimated to be produced, which is 12,8% less than previous forecast, while the yield has been revised downwards from 2,78t/ha to 2,50t/ha. he production forecast for yellow maize is 2,844 million tons, which is 8,2% less than the previous forecast. The yield has dropped from 3,36t/ha to 3,08t/ha. eanwhile, a survey based on replies from a sample of producers shows the expected area planted to wheat for the 2007 production season is 686 800ha. survey shows that producers intend to plant 78 000ha (10,2%) less wheat than in 2006. – Staff reporter • Visit www.nda.agric.za/docs/cropestimates/ crops.htm for the full report
