For summer field crops, the CEC’s data shows that the size of the expected commercial maize crop will reach 15,88 million tons, which was 1,69% or 264 475t more than the previous forecast of 15,615 million tons. The expected yield for maize was 6,14 t/ha. The estimate was a 2,65% increase on last year’s crop.
The production forecast of white maize was 8,344 million tons, which was 1,92% or 157 225t more than the 8,187 million tons of the previous forecast. The revised area estimate for white maize was 1,521 million hectares and the expected yield was 5,49 t/ha.
In the case of yellow maize, the production forecast was 7,535 million tons, which was 1,44% or 107 250t more than the 7,428 million tons of the previous forecast. The revised area estimate for yellow maize was 1,065 million hectares and the yield was 7,08t/ha.
The estimate for sunflower was increase 2,88% on the previous forecast, resulting in an expected crop of 797 610t. The area estimate for sunflower seed was 555 700ha, while the expected yield was 1,44t/ha.
The production forecast for soya bean increased by 2,21% or 58 470t to 2,710 million tons. The estimated area planted to soya bean was 1,148 million hectares, and the expected yield was 2,36t/ha.
The expected groundnut crop was estimated at 49 080t, which was 4,06% or 2 075t fewer than the previous forecast of 51 155t. The revised area estimate was 31 300ha, with an expected yield of 1,57t/ha.
Sorghum was expected to reach 109 400t, which was 2,61% less than the previous forecast. The area estimate for sorghum was 34 000ha and the expected yield was 3,22t/ha.
The dry bean harvest was expected to reach 47 930t. The revised area estimate for the dry bean crop was 36 650ha, with an expected yield of 1,31t/ha.
Wandile Silhobo, Agbiz chief economist, noted that South Africa’s 2022/23 summer grains and oilseeds were now at pollination stages in some regions, while others were maturing. “This could be another excellent harvest season if weather conditions remain favourable.
“Notably, data bodes well with the already softening maize price, which is now hovering at around R4 000/t, roughly at the same levels as a year ago and well below the higher levels we saw a few months ago. Sunflower seed and soya bean prices have also moderated notably, and spot prices currently trade around R8 192/t and R8 660/t, respectively.
The third production forecast for summer field crops for 2023 would be released on 26 April 2023.