Maize price
‘SA could see R7bn cash injection from maize exports’
Agbiz's Wandile Sihlobo says South Africa has been forced to import maize for the past two financial years.
The price of maize meal is expected to drop drastically in about five months’ time if the rain continues into winter.
On average, maize meal now costs 40% more than it did a year ago, while the price of oranges has increased by more than 70%.
Recent rainfall suggests the country could possibly harvest more than double the amount of maize in the upcoming season.
Due to the drought, the country has been forced to import maize. But rain has brought relief to many maize farmers.
South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee is expected to forecast the planted area at 2.62 million hectares.
The currency slipped against the dollar following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
Monsanto South Africa’s Technology Development head Andrew Bennett allays concerns regarding a trial on genetically modified maize.
The government has estimated as much as six million tonnes of maize may need to be imported.
Droughts have hit the maize crop in some parts of the Southern African countries, with dire economic costs.
GrainSA says the country needs to acknowledge a national drought as farmers are starting to capitulate.
With SA experiencing its worst drought in decades, EWN visits one of the worst hit areas in the Free State to investigate the full impact the drought is having on the community, as well as the country.
South African maize prices have raced to record highs because of the drought.
AgriSA says the current situation is largely due to a market demand exacerbated by the current drought.
AgriSA's Omri van Zyl says production is currently under serious threat due to the devastating drought.
Cosatu says traders are manipulating the price of maize, which has a huge impact on poor communities.
Senior Economist at GrainSA Wandile Sihlobo spoke to 702 host John Robbie about how the worst drought in more than a century is set to affect food & meat prices.
Grain SA says it's now too late for heavy rains to improve the situation due to the worst drought in decades.
The prevailing drought has hit maize production in South Africa, usually a net exporter of the grain.