Upsurge in maize exports is expected in 2024/25 marketing season - Agbiz

Local supplies of grains and oilseeds are deemed adequate, as the Crop Estimates Committee places South Africa's 2023/24 harvest of these crops at 15,9 million tons

- Annelie Coleman.

South Africa is not in a crisis regarding local supplies of grains and oilseeds, despite the fact that the current white maize harvest declined by 26% and yellow maize by 12% in the 2023/24 season from the 2022/23 season. This was according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz.

“In its sixth production estimate released in July 2024, the Crop Estimates Committee [CEC] placed South Africa’s 2023/24 summer grains and oilseed harvest at 15,9 million tons,” he said.

“The 0,5% monthly downward revisions were primarily in yellow maize, groundnuts and dry beans. The expected harvest of 15,9 million tons was down 21% year-on-year [y/y], signifying the sharp impact of the mid-summer drought on grains and oilseed production.”

DEMAND FROM SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES WILL REMAIN FIRM