Agriculture
SA's maize plantings could increase by up to 37% this year─── 11:32 Wed, 26 Oct 2016
All eyes will be on the Crop Estimate’s Committee this week as it releases its first-intentions-to-plant estimate for the summer grain producing region.
Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, said in a statement analysts' polls are suggesting maize plantings could increase between 25% and 37% this year.
He writes Bloomberg is predicting that maize plantings could increase to 2,7 million hectares, up 37% from last year.
The Reuters poll is estimating a 25% increase.
Commenting on the current situation, Sihlobo says by last week South Africa had imported 46% of its seasonal yellow maize import forecast and 41% of white maize.
Imports for the week ending 21 October came in at nearly 82 000 tons. Of this, 31% is white maize from Mexico and 69% is yellow maize from Argentina and Romania.
The full Agbiz Morning Market Viewpoint on Agri-Commodities report can be downloaded here:
Agbiz Morning Market Viewpoint on Agri-Commodities 26 October 2016.pdf
Source: Agbiz
