South Africa Sees Falling Wheat in 2003-04

PRETORIA - Mar 20/03 - STAT -- Wheat plantings are expected to fall at least 10.64% in the coming year as growers in the country respond to weakening international markets, says the South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS).

In its first survey of planting intentions for the coming year, the agency sent questionnaires to 2,400 producers. The survey was done on behalf of the Crop Estimates Committee and gives an indication of the intentions of producers as at the end of February 2003. Various factors could, however, still influence these intentions.

The producers indicated that they intended to plant 841,000 hectares of wheat. This is 100,100 hectares (10.64%) less than in the 2002-03 season. The largest expected decrease is in the Free State with 18.75%, followed by Mpumalanga with 18,18% and the Eastern Cape with 14.29%.

The decrease in the expected planting of wheat can mainly be ascribed to lower wheat prices compared to the previous season and dryer conditions in some areas.

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