FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.55

SOUTH AFRICA

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvest of the 2002 winter crops is well advanced and planting of the 2003 summer coarse grains has started. Latest production forecast of the 2002 wheat crop have been revised downward to 2.28 million tonnes, 8 percent lower than the good crop of last year but still average. The decline in production mainly reflects lower yields. By contrast, the minor barley crop is expected to increase by 15 percent due to higher plantings and yields.

Good rains in early December in the main maize growing areas, allowed resumption of planting of the 2003 maize crop, delayed by well below-average precipitation in November. Official reports on the first planting intentions indicate an increase of 9 percent in the area planted to maize to 3.081 million hectares. This reflects a rise of 19 percent in the area to white maize and a decline of 7 percent in the area to yellow maize. The likely increase in sowings is in response to higher price expectations, crop rotation practices and increased demand for white maize in other Southern Africa countries. Plantings of minor sorghum crop are expected to increase by 14 percent from last year's level to 86 000 hectares.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2002/03 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)