The National Crop Estimate Committee's (CEC) third production estimate amounted to 7.1-million tonnes, which is 3% lower than the previous estimate and at the upper end of market expectations, Grain SA said in a morning market report.
The current weather forecast still shows a dry outlook for the rest of this week, and that is likely to worsen the conditions in the fields, as crops are already experiencing drought stress, Grain SA said.
The white maize production estimate was revised down to 3.1-million tons, from 3.2-million tons last month, while yellow maize production was revised down to 4-million tons, from 4.1-million tonnes last month.
The CEC's third production forecast for soybeans was 691,750 tons, which was 5% lower than the previous estimate.
The committee's third production estimate for sunflower seeds was 710,500 tons, which was 3% higher than the previous estimate.
The increase in production was largely driven by a 5% upward revision in area planted to 718,500 hectares, Grain SA said.
Source: BDpro