South African Maize Harvest to Drop by 20.5% in 2023/2024 Season

South African farmers are projected to harvest 20.5% less maize in the 2023/2024 season compared to the previous one, as per the Crop Estimates Committee. The forecasted harvest is 13.06 million metric tons, down from 16.43 million tons last season. This includes 6.19 million tons of white maize and 6.87 million tons of yellow maize.

South African farmers are bracing for a significant drop in maize production for the 2023/2024 season, with a forecasted decrease of 20.5%, according to the government's Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).

The CEC's latest report estimates the 2024 maize harvest to be 13.06 million metric tons, a stark reduction from last season's 16.43 million tons. This new estimate shows a slight decrease from the previous July 26 forecast of 13.33 million tons.

The expected harvest will be divided into 6.19 million tons of white maize, primarily for human consumption, and 6.87 million tons of yellow maize, mainly used in animal feed.

(With inputs from agencies.)