In the fields, the harvest activity started a bit late this year compared to previous years due to delays in the planting at the start of the season (on the back of unfavourable weather conditions). However, the activity could gain momentum in the next couple of weeks due to expected favourable weather conditions over the maize belt. Furthermore, today’s producer deliveries data will give an indication of the progress made in the week of 15 June 2018. In the first six weeks of this marketing year, farmers have already delivered about 1.4 million tonnes of maize to commercial silos, which equates to 11 percent of the expected production.

Against this backdrop, South Africa’s 2018/19 marketing year maize exports could, at least, amount to 2.4 million tonnes, down by 4 percent from the volume exported in 2017/18. To reiterate a point made in our previous notes, the expected large supply suggests that the SAFEX maize prices could remain at relatively lower levels for some time, all else being equal.

Last week, South Africa’s maize export activity recovered from the disappointing levels observed in the week of 08 June 2018. The weekly exports amounted to 84 642 tonnes, with 95 percent being yellow maize and the rest being white maize. The leading buyers were Vietnam and South Korea, which collectively accounted for 91 percent of last week’s exports. Overall, this placed South Africa’s 2018/19 maize exports at 397 925 tonnes.

Click HERE to read the full report by Wandile Sihlobo

The post The fundamentals in the domestic maize market remain unchanged appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

The weather will be a key focus within the next couple of weeks as it continues to influence the harvest activity of summer crops and growing conditions of new season winter crops. The forecasts for the next eight days show clear skies across the country, which should bode well for harvest activity, while it’s the opposite for winter crops.

The week ahead is data-packed, but the most anticipated release is the Crop Estimate Committee’s fifth production estimate for 2017/18 summer crops.

The SAFEX beef carcass market experienced a quiet week with prices unchanged from levels seen last week.

Click HERE to read the full report by Wandile Sihlobo

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