April 21, 2004

South Africa 2003-04 Corn Crop Forecast At 7.59 Million MT

South Africa's National Crop Estimates Committee Tuesday raised its forecast for the country's 2003-04 corn production by 138,000 metric tons to 7.59 million tons.
 
In its third estimate for the season, the committee upped its forecast 1.9% from its second estimate of 7.45 million tons in March. The latest estimate is 787,000 tons or 10.3% higher than the season's first estimate of 6.80 million tons in February.
 
April's estimate compares with actual corn output of 9.40 million tons in the 2002-03 season.
 
The committee said it expects commercial farmers to produce 4.63 million tons of white corn and 2.96 million tons of yellow corn in 2003-04.
 
Late summer rain across many crop growing areas has been the major factor pushing up harvest expectations over the past two months.
 
In other summer crops, the committee raised its expectation for sorghum, ground nuts, soybeans and dry beans, but it cut its forecast for sunflowers.
 
Sunflower production is expected to be 585,900 tons, down from the previous estimate of 588,150 tons and sharply lower than the 642,610 tons produced in 2002-03.
 
Sorghum output is seen rising to 251,170 tons, compared to the March estimate of 243,320 tons and 219,514 tons produced in the previous season.
 
Ground nut production is seen at 81,915 tons compared to 80,565 tons at the previous estimate and 60,005 tons in 2002-03.
 
On soybeans, the committee put its estimate at 165,985 tons compared to the March estimate of 163,285 tons and last season's output of 136,520 tons.
 
On dry beans, the estimate is now 70,090 tons compared to 68,390 tons in March and production of 60,295 tons last season.
 
The next summer crop estimate will take place on May 20 and will also include a 2004-05 estimate for winter grains.