The Agri Handbook Blog

This was the initial blog of The Agri Handbook, South Africa's biennial reference book for the agri-food industry where you will find points of reference for all subsectors which make up the agricultural value chain. Whether you are a new farmer looking at your options or an old hand wanting to diversify your operations but wondering where to start, you will find value here. Visitors are invited to also look at https://agribook.co.za/ where the latest chapters may be read.

Thursday, 12 June 2014

South Africa expects one of its biggest maize (corn) crops

Word from the national Crop Estimates Committee is that this year will see the largest maize crop in more than three decades. Find these estimates on the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) website.

This country is not a major producer in international terms and farmers are price takers. Internationally, there are already adequate supplies of maize, wheat and soya, and a bumper crop at home will mean pressure on prices paid to grain producers. Those who have contracts in place will breathe a sigh of relief. Others will store maize until prices are better.

Of course this is all good news for livestock farmers though (grain is a component of animal feeds).

Find the commodity trading and Grain storage & handling chapters in The Agri Handbook