The 2023-24 production estimate has been lowered by 2% to 13.06 million tonnes, 21% down from the 2022-23 season
Warmer, drier weather in the coming weeks would boost production in the Western Cape where two-thirds of South Africa’s wheat is grown.
White maize prices are likely to be 30% higher, with yellow maize up by 20%
During El Niño spring rainfall will be above-normal for most of the country and below-normal summer rainfall over the central to western regions and above-normal rainfall in the northeast
Grain supplies for both domestic consumption and export remain healthy
The maize yield is above the 10-year average even though the area planted is lower than last year
We will have a poorer harvest than the glowing 2020-21 harvest, but will probably not have to import supplies