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How is the maize harvest progressing in South Africa?
The maize season was roughly a month and a half behind its typical schedule in South Africa. Because of that, farmers are still busy in some fields finishing the harvest.
Last week, on August 21, about 14.0 million tonnes were delivered to commercial silos, compared with the expected 17.4 million tonnes.
In a brief catch-up with our members at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) on Thursday night, I asked them what they were seeing in their silos regarding maize, especially the folks in the western regions of South Africa.
A couple of them told us that the quality of the crop they are receiving in the silos is good. This eased our fears, as late deliveries typically mean some minor quality issues.
We are ending a season of abundance in South Africa’s grain industry. The ample maize harvest covers South Africa’s annual maize needs of 12.0 million tonnes, as well as those of the neighbours. There will also be decent stocks going into the new year. The new season will likely be challenging as we approach an El Niño year, which could bring drought.
But the ample harvest of this year will mean that South Africa will start the new season in a better position than other countries that didn’t enjoy a season of abundance like what South Africa currently has: a record maize harvest of 17.4 million tonnes.
-wandile
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