March 31, 2004

Corn Yields Improve for South Africa 

USDA's March estimate of South Africa’s 2003/04 corn production, for both commercial and developing sectors, is estimated at 7.5 million tons, unchanged for the past two months and down 2.2 million or 22 percent from last year’s crop. Good rains in February and March have improved crop yield potentials from delayed plantings caused by poor rains in November and December.  The estimated yield of 2.54 MT/Ha is still below the 5-year average of 2.65 MT/Ha, due to late plantings, a shorter growing season, low soil moisture reserves at the start of season, and lower than average irrigated corn area. 

On March 19, South Africa’s National Crop Estimates Committee (NCEC) released its second corn production estimate for the season, at 7.67 million tons. Good rains during February and March allowed crop yields to recover to nearly average, but production still remains below average due to low planted area.  Commercial and developing sector area is estimated at 3.0 million hectares, which is the lowest commercial area planted since the 1942/43 season.  The decline in area planted this year was due to low market prices during 2003, and below normal-rainfall at the start of season, which delayed plantings by 2-3 weeks throughout the region.

USDA/FAS Crop Travel 

USDA/FAS assessed crop condtions within the Maize Triangle during the last week of February.  This assessment was reflected in the March USDA release.  In general, the crop in the high-yielding east was observed to be near average due to favorable rains during January and February; irrigated corn area was below average due to lack of water in local farm dams.  Crop conditions in the low-yielding west were slightly below average due to a late start of season and patchy rainfall, but some areas had average crops due to good rainfall in January and February. No major pest or disease problems were reported or observed, but an early frost in April may cause some crop damage as most of the crop was planted 2-3 weeks late.   USDA's monthly estimates for corn in South Africa will be updated next week on April 8th.  

Related FAS Links

South Africa Corn at Low Levels (January 22, 2004) 

South Africa GAIN Report (March 2004)
South Africa GAIN Report (February 2004)

Crop Explorer for Southern Africa
Corn Production by Province
Average Yields by District
South Africa Landcover
Record Corn Irrigation (2003) in South Africa

Other Links

Preliminary Crop Area Estimates by NCEC

For more information, contact Curt Reynolds with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, 
at Curt.Reynolds@fas.usda.gov or (202) 690-0134.