The start of South Africa’s 2022/23 summer crop production season was challenging for farmers and agricultural role players because of excessive rains. Crop planting in various regions of the country was delayed by roughly a month, threatening yield prospects.
But the warm weather at the end of January and much of February helped improve conditions on the farms. It thus eased concerns about the possibility of smaller yields due to excessive soil moisture.
Moreover, the persistent load-shedding raised concerns that areas under irrigation could receive poor yields. Still, the return of rainfall, at a moderate pace, from mid-February provided a much-needed pause and improved crop conditions. Within summer crops, roughly 20% of maize and 15% of soybeans are produced under irrigation.
This sentiment of better agricultural conditions was confirmed by the data released by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) at the end of February.
For example, South Africa’s 2022/23 overall summer crop production is forecast at 19,3 million tonnes, up 3% from the previous season.
If we consider the large crops like maize, soybeans and sunflower seed, production is forecast at 15,6 million tonnes (up 1% y/y), 2,7 million tonnes (up 19% y/y), and 775 260 tonnes (down 8% y/y), respectively.
The expected improvement in the maize harvest is on the back of expected better yields as the area plantings are down marginally from the 2021/22 season. Meanwhile, the robust forecast increase in soybeans results from both expected large yields and an increase in planted area.
The fall in the sunflower seed production forecast mirrors the reduced planted area and yields in some areas.
Other small crops, such as sorghum and groundnuts, have a reasonably large expected harvest.
Admittedly, it is still early for one to be entirely sure about the size of South Africa’s summer crops, with nine more monthly crop forecast updates to follow. Still, these data provide comfort that the country will likely have sufficient supplies for the domestic consumption of major crops such as maize and soybeans.
These crops are crucial for food security and livestock feed. The crop is now at pollination stages in some regions of the country, and if the weather conditions remain favourable, the yields stand to improve even further.
Still, one will have to keep a close eye on the irrigation areas and the pace of interventions to be made by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on energy challenges in the sector.
Follow me on Twitter (@WandileSihlobo). E-mail: wandile@agbiz.co.za
