November 25, 2009

South Africa raises 2009 wheat production forecast

South Africa's Crop Estimates Committee increased its 2009 wheat production forecast slightly to 1.999 million tonnes.

The committee had previously been expecting output of 1.996 million tonnes, and it said the area for the crop remains unchanged at 657,500 hectares.

The CEC's fourth production forecast for 2009 was expected to be left unchanged, according to a poll of traders by I-Net Bridge.

Three of the traders polled said the forecast would be left unchanged, while the fourth said he saw it slightly lower.

"The slight increase in the yield caused the increase in the total production," said CEC member Baldwin Netshifhefhe.

"There was a slight increase in the yield in the Free State because of the good weather. In the Western Cape there was a slight decrease in the yield. However, this yield was counteracted by the increase in the Free State," Netshifhefhe said.