This is according to the December Food Security Bulletin issued by the statistics and economic analysis directorate of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

It is projecting closing sunflower stocks of just over 130-thousand tons (130 967), up 185.5% on last year. In addition, the report states that wheat production this year is expected to be up more than 30%, with closing stocks also up 2.3% on last year’s levels. 

The picture for the rest of the grains is somewhat less positive. Projected closing stocks for maize are 1,16 million tons, which is 54.8% lower than last year. Sorghum stocks levels are projected to close nearly 55% lower and soybeans to decline to just over 74 000 tons, which is 16.8% less.

The report also provides details on agricultural machinery sales, the consumer price index, producer price index, climate data and information about dam levels. You can find the full document online under the agriculture link at ofm.co.za.

The Crop Estimates Committee is meanwhile expected to release its preliminary area planted estimate for summer grains for 2017 on January 26.

The full bulletin can be downloaded here:

20170119 RSA Food Security Bulletin Dec 2016.pdf

- OFM News