THE debate about SA’s 2016/17 summer crop production has returned to the top of the agenda as we enter the new production season. Normally, different organisations make different projections, based on assumptions about the future. Output bottomed out in 2015/16 due to drought, so the outlook for the next production season is more positive, particularly for maize. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy recently estimated SA’s 2016/17 maize production at 12.3-million tonnes, while the International Grains Council’s estimate is 12.9-million tonnes and that of the US Department of Agriculture is 13-million tonnes. All these estimates suggest that SA’s maize production could fully recover from this season’s harvest of 7.3-million tonnes. This means that the country, which has annual consumption of 10.5-million tonnes, could again be a net exporter. However, all these estimates are underpinned by the assumption that weather conditions could improve. In the past few months, weather fo...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.