So far, it is not clear if the winter rainfall area will experience a good or dry season. According to an article by AgriOrbit, the independent weather specialist, Johan van den Berg, says that the rapid change in weather systems can play havoc with accurate weather forecasting. He further says that the general forecast for May is that most of the country will be in a neutral phase and that it is unlikely that the Indian Ocean will have a huge influence on the weather. Moreover, Van den berg adds that there is currently only a 10% chance of a La Niña developing in the coming winter months, with a probability for mostly neutral conditions continuing in August, September and October.

The South African Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) mildly lifted its forecast for 2020/21 maize, soybeans and sorghum from the March 2021 estimate to 16,1 million tonnes, 1,8 million tonnes, and 189 885 tonnes respectively. According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz, sunflower seed and groundnut production estimates were left unchanged at 696 290 tonnes and 57 900 tonnes, respectively. He adds that the dry beans were the only crop whose estimates were slashed by 9% from March 2021 to 56 577 tonnes. He adds that others such as the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy's estimated 17 million tonnes.

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Economists and protein experts at the 2021 Annual Meat Conference predicted mostly positive developments for the meat industry this year. According to the Redmeat Producers' Organisation (RPO), experts predict strong consumer demand and expanded trade opportunities, contrasted with shrinking production. The organisation reports that retail demand is expected to soften as restaurants reopen, but economists say the hot economy for proteins is likely to remain healthy. Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, said the supply-and-demand balance, should work in producers’ favour because beef production is expected to plateau.




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