South Africa is expected to harvest three percent more maize in 2018 than previously estimated after late rains in the western part of the maize belt boosted yields, a Reuters poll of five traders and market analysts showed on Friday. The government's Crop Estimates Committee (CEC), which will provide its third production forecast for the 2018 crop on Wednesday, is seen pegging the harvest at 12.75 million tonnes, up from the 12.42 million tonnes it forecast in March.
Late rains, particularly in western growing areas, have helped yields after an unexpected onset of dry conditions in the key maize-growing provinces of North West and the Free State in January had raised concerns for farmers. "Rain the past couple of weeks will add to confidence that the current crop expectation could be met and may even be exceeded," said trader and director at Riddermark Capital Warren Langridge.
The poll expects the harvest to consist of 6.51 million tonnes of the staple food white maize, a slight increase from 6.36 million in CEC's March estimates and 6.14 million tonnes of yellow maize which is used in the production of animal feed.
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