South African Agricultural Commodities Weekly Wrap-Up
SA maize harvest activity gaining ground
May 31, 2018
Spotlight on the wheat market
June 4, 2018
South African Agricultural Commodities Weekly Wrap-Up
This was a data-packed week for grain and oilseed markets, with the most notable release being the Crop Estimates Committee’s fourth production estimates for 2017/18 summer crops.
The commercial maize production estimate was lifted by a percentage point from last month to 12.8 million tonnes. The soybean and sunflower seed production estimates were left unchanged from last month at 1.4 million tonnes and 792 255 tonnes, respectively.
The yields received thus far in the summer crop areas that have already harvested vary between average and above average, which is supportive of the aforementioned estimates. In terms of winter crops, the first production estimate will only be released at the end of August.
The planting activity is almost complete in the Western Cape province. The newly emerged crops are in good shape but need rainfall to improve soil moisture and crop conditions.
The SAFEX beef carcass market experienced a quiet week with prices unchanged from levels seen last week.
