December 5, 2005

South Africa 2004-05 final corn crop at 11.45 million tonnes

South Africa's National Crop Estimates Committee Friday said farmers produced 11.45 million tonnes of corn in the 2004-05 season.

This was 6.4 percent lower than its final estimate of 12.18 million tonnes for the season issued on Aug 22, but 20.8 percent higher than the previous season's output of 9.48 million tonnes.

"This is the first time for 12 years that corn production has been overestimated, there's usually an under estimation, " said committee spokesman Rodney Dredge.

White corn--the staple diet of millions of South Africans--accounted for 6.54 million tonnes of the 2004-05 total while yellow corn--used mainly in the animal feeds industry--accounted for 4.91 million tonnes.