WANDILE SIHLOBO: Winter crops data paints rosy picture
Devastating floods in the Western Cape had a minimal effect, though crop quality is a concern
We received comprehensive data this week about SA’s winter crop conditions, for the first time since the devastating floods in the Western Cape in September 2023. The province is a significant producer of winter crops, accounting for about two-thirds of SA’s total winter crop output. I was concerned that the damage caused by the floods would have a notable effect on national production.
However, the data paints a comforting picture. Its third production estimates for winter crops, the committee lifted the wheat harvest projection by 2% from September to 2.17-million tonnes. The current expected crop is up 3% from the previous season. This was a positive surprise as we had expected the crop size could be lowered, considering the severity of the floods in the southern regions of the Western Cape. ..
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