CEC releases 5th forecast of 2019 winter cereal crops

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The estimate is as follows:

Wheat forecast

The expected production of wheat is estimated at 1,598 million tonnes. This is 1,23% or 19,960 tonnes less than the previous forecast of 1,618 million tonnes, while the expected yield is 2,96 t/ha.

Expected production in the Western Cape is 666 250 tons (42%), while the estimate for the Free State is 358,400 tonnes (22%). Production in the Northern Cape is estimated at 270 000 tons (17%).

An estimated 325,000ha or 60% was planted in the Western Cape. A total of 128,000ha or 24% was planted in the Free State, with the Northern Cape on 37,500ha or 7%.

Other crops

The production forecast for malting barley is 320,940 tonnes. This is 10,54% or 37,820 tonnes less than the previous forecast of 358,760 tonnes. The area planted is estimated at 131,960ha, while the expected yield is estimated at 2,43 t/ha.

The expected canola crop remained unchanged at 96,200 tonnes. The area estimate for canola is 74,000ha, with an expected yield of 1,30 t/ha.

The area estimate for oats (cereals) for the 2019 season is 27 200ha and the expected crop is 27,490 tonnes. The expected yield is 1,01 t/ha.

Next forecast

The sixth production forecast for winter cereals (2019) and the preliminary area planted estimate for summer grains (2020), will be released on 29 January 2020.