SA to harvest more maize

Johannesburg - South African farmers are expected to harvest 68 percent more maize this season as increased rainfall has boosted plantings, a Reuters poll of six traders and market analysts showed.The government’s Crop Estimates Committee, which will provide its first production forecast for this year's crop on Tuesday, is seen pegging the harvest at 13.11 million tons compared with 7.78 million tons last year.

This summer's harvest is expected to consist of 7.44 million tons of white maize and 5.67 million tons of the yellow variety following rains brought on by a La Nina weather system that is associated with milder temperatures and wetter conditions in the region.

Alien worm a major threat to maize crops

It has been “perfect growing weather in the maize areas with sufficient rains will guarantee a minimum of 14 million tons", said one trader. An El Niño-triggered drought across southern Africa hit output with last year's maize harvest 22percent lower than the 9.955 million tons reaped in 2015. REUTERS