FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - SOUTH AFRICA (6 November)

Planting of the 2002 maize crop is underway in the main maize growing areas of the east. Below average rains in the first dekad of October were followed by abundant precipitation in the second and third dekads. The above-average rains provided good soil moisture for planting the 2002 maize crop and benefited earlier sowed crops. Planting prospects are favourable reflecting also expectations of a 6 percent rise in the area planted to 2.878 million hectares. This is in response to increasing prices of maize due to this year’s reduced harvest and higher exports to neighbouring countries. The 2001 maize output was estimated at 7.5 million tonnes, a substantial decline from the previous year's good output of 10.6 million tonnes, due to a decrease of 17 percent in the area planted and a prolonged mid-season dry spell that reduced yields.

Harvesting of the 2001 wheat crop is advanced. Production forecasts have been revised upwards to 2.3 million tonnes. At this level, the output is 4 percent higher than the average of the past five years. The outcome reflects an increase of 4 percent in the area planted and adequate irrigation water supplies.