wheat
Apr 17, 2018
Yesterday we indicated that sub-Saharan Africa’s 2017/18 wheat imports could reach 26 million tonnes, up by 18 percent from the previous season. What we didn’t mention is that the leading wheat importers within the sub-Saharan African region are Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire.
Apr 19, 2018
Trade aspects remain an important factor in the market as South Africa is a net importer of wheat (see Chart below). The wheat import tariff has triggered again on 10 April 2018 to R437 per tonne. The previous trigger was on 20 March 2018, which then, was calculated at R293.74 per tonne, after an uptick in international wheat prices (No2 HRW), which were supported by unfavourable weather conditions in the US wheat growing regions.
Apr 23, 2018
The weather is a primary focus in the South African wheat market as the winter wheat planting period approaches. The Western Cape province, which is a leading winter wheat producing province experienced persistent dryness in the past few months, therefore soil moisture is extremely low across the fields.
The province needs to receive intense and persistent rainfall for soil moisture to improve, which will, therefore, add momentum to the planting process. However, the near-term weather forecasts present more of the same, which is cool and dry weather conditions across the province with the exception of the western areas which could receive light showers of between 16 and 25 millimetres in the week of 25 April 2018.
Apr 25, 2018
Although canola and oats farmers have started planting in parts of the Western Cape province and wheat set to commence soon, the germination process could be slightly delayed. The near-term weather forecast point to a continuous dryness in the Western Cape province within the next two weeks.
May 7, 2018
The winter wheat planting activity could slow in the coming weeks as the weather forecasts show a possibility of continued dryness in the Western Cape province within the next two weeks. Swartland is the only wheat-growing region that could receive light showers of between 16 and 25 millimetres this week. The prospects for the week ending 22 May 2018 presents similar dynamics, with light showers in areas around Overberg region.
May 15, 2018
Cereal farmers across sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing heavy losses due to the devastation by an invasive pest: the Fall army worm - Spodoptera frugiperda. In Africa it has caused huge losses to staple cereals, especially maize and sorghum, affecting food security and trade. Damage to maize alone is estimated to be between $ 2.5 - 6.2bn per year. The Fall armyworm’s lifespan, from egg to larva to moth, lasts between one to three months