The 1997 maize harvest is estimated at 81 000 tons, well below the previous year’s crop but close to average. The reduction is explained by a complete crop failure in the Lowveld.
The overall food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to remain satisfactory as a result of the availability of large carryover stocks from the good maize harvest of 1996. All cereal imports during the season are expected to be covered through commercial channels.