Agriculture
El Niño, exchange rate could work in favour of producers─── SABRINA DEAN 15:46 Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Bloemfontein - A well-known agricultural economist says it is important to take note of the severe El Niño weather system and the potential impact on production for the 2016/17 grain marketing season.
Absa economist Wessel Lemmer says an El Niño on its own does not necessarily mean poor rainfall prospects, but coupled with other weather patterns can impact rainfall in maize production areas:
‘Wessel Lemmer – weather’
He says if we have a similar production year to this year, we will need to import about a half-a-million tons of maize. He adds that if we attain a yield of 12,7-million tons, the average for the previous three years, imports will still be necessary.
Lemmer says, however, the weather prospects as well as the weaker Rand are actually working in favour of producers:
‘Wessel Lemmer – support’
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
‘Wessel Lemmer – weather’:
‘Wessel Lemmer – support’:
