Maize harvest forecast to drop 27% in 2018
Farmers are likely to harvest a smaller maize crop in 2018, thanks to lower grain prices that came as a result of a bumper harvest in 2017.
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In its first production estimate report for 2018, the crop estimates committee said on Tuesday that producers would harvest about 12.2 million tonnes of maize in 2018, which represents a 27% decrease from the season just passed.
The area planted with maize also dropped 12.4% to 2.3 million hectares, according to preliminary estimates.
In 2017, farmers harvested a record 16.8 million tonnes, an outcome that helped drive food prices significantly lower, helped by a much stronger rand.
Food inflation moderated to an annual rate of 4.6% in January, from 4.9% in December, reflecting lower grain prices.
Source: BDpro