Crop Estimates Committee – Intentions to Plant Summer Crops (2021)
Maize
The commercial producers intend to plant 2,746 million. ha of maize for 2021, which is 5,18% or 135 200 ha more than the 2,611 million. ha planted last season. The figures show that producers intend to plant 1,686 million. ha to white maize, which is 69 800 ha (4,32%) more than in the previous season. In the case of yellow maize, the expected plantings are 1,060 million. ha, which is 65 400 ha (6,58%) more than in the previous season.
Sunflower Seed
In the case of sunflower seed, the expected area planted is estimated at 480 500 ha, which is 3,96% or 19 800 ha less than the 500 300-ha planted last season.
Groundnuts
The expected plantings of groundnuts will increase by 1,33% or 500 ha, from 37 500 ha to 38 000 ha.
Sorghum
The intended plantings of sorghum is expected to increase by 4,24% or 1 800 ha to 44 300 ha, compared to the previous season.
Stone Fruit Export Estimate 2020/2021
“The initial export crop estimate projects an increase in volumes compared to the previous season. Early varieties are estimated to be 7 – 10 days later than last year. Apricots are estimated to increase by 23% y-o-y; mainly due to Imperial/Palsteyn returning to an average export crop. Fruit set is looking much better and with more available irrigation water in the Little Karoo, compared to previous seasons, apricot volumes are set to increase.
Nectarine export volumes are expected to increase from last year’s 5mil cartons to 5.6 mil cartons. The growth in export volumes are driven by young orchards coming into production, mainly in the mid-season, as well as more favourable weather conditions. Similarly, peaches are also expected to increase to a normal crop (5% Y-O-Y)” – Jacques du Preez, economist, Hortgro.
Table Grapes Estimate
“The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) released the first crop estimate for the 2019/2020 season, with intake volumes estimated to be between 61.05 million and 67.80 million cartons (4.5 kg equivalent). It has to be noted that about 60% of the total crop comes from the mid-to-late Berg and Hex River regions with further updates from this region to be expected in a second crop estimate towards the end of the year.” – SA Table Grapes
Fresh Produce Markets
“In last week’s trade, the biggest weekly price increases were butternuts with losses of 27.8% week‑on-week (w/w) but were sharply higher by 63% relative to the same week in 2019 at R7.09/ kg. They were followed closely by carrots and potatoes with weekly decreases of 18.6% and 18.4% respectively at R3.01/ kg and R7.07/ kg. At current levels, carrot and potato prices increased by 16% and 77% respectively year-on-year (y/y). The major drivers for the sharp decrease in potato prices were higher volumes and quality issues across markets.” – Paul Makube, agricultural economist, FNB
