South Africa, the biggest corn producer on the continent, increased its estimate for this season's harvest by 1.1%.

Farmers may reap 13.1 million tonnes, compared with a previous prediction of 12.96 million tonnes, the government's Crop Estimates Committee said Thursday (Apr 22). It is 8.7% higher than last season's final crop of 12.05 million tonnes.

The number was in line with a median forecast of eight grain traders surveyed by Bloomberg. Estimates ranged from 12.97 million tonnes to 13.2 million tonnes.

The committee raised its forecast for the sorghum crop 4% to 262,633 tonnes and lowered the projection for dry beans 2% to 60,150 tonnes. Estimate for soy was unchanged at 587,950 tonnes.