|
The countryˇ¦s largest maize crop is expected later
this year, says the Department of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries (DAFF). The yield of maize is
expected to be just more than 15 million tons, 101%
higher than the 2016 crop, despite the drought.
ˇ§The three main maize-producing areas, namely the Free
State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces, are expected
to produce 83% of the 2017 crop,ˇ¨ said the department.
The bumper harvest is expected to have a knock-on effect
on food prices, by bringing them down.
Despite the recent drought in southern Africa, caused by
the El Niño climate phenomenon, there was more than
double the average recorded rainfall in January and
February, according to local weather services.
Surplus maize would most likely be exported, said Grain
South Africa. ˇ§Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, those are
three countries that have ordered a lot of maize from
South Africa,ˇ¨ Grain South Africa CEO, Jannie de
Villiers, told Reuters.
South Africaˇ¦s domestic consumption of maize was
approximately 10,5 million tons, he said. Anything over
that could be exported, showing the resilience of the
countryˇ¦s agriculture sector. ˇV Sources:
DAFF,
World Health
Organisation,
Stats SA |
