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According to the Crop Estimate Committee (CEC), commercial maize is expected to exceed last season’s yields due sufficient rainfall. This is not just more money for farmers but also a relief for consumers as it will push product prices down.
In its report, the CEC says the expected commercial maize crop is 13 911 150 tons, which is 8,26% or 1 061 150 tons more than the 12 850 000 tons of the previous season (2024). The yield for maize is 5,36 t/ha.
The report states that the area estimate for white maize is 1 599 700 ha, which represents an increase of 2,89% or 44 950 ha compared to the 1 554 750 ha planted last season. The production forecast of white maize is 7 395 700 tons, which is 22,14% or 1 340 700 tons more than the 6 055 000 tons of last season.
The yield for white maize is 4,62 t/ha. In the case of yellow maize, the area estimate is 997 000 ha, which is 7,81% or 84 500 ha less than the 1 081 500 ha planted last season. The yellow maize production forecast is 6 515 450 tons, which is 4,11% or 279 550 tons less than the 6 795 000 tons of last season. The yield for yellow maize is 6,54 t/ha.
Other summer crops:
Sunflower seed:
The revised area estimate for sunflower seed is 555 700 ha, which is 5,05% or 26 700 ha more than the 529 000 ha planted the previous season. The production forecast for sunflower seed is 720 050 tons, which is 13,93% or 88 050 tons more than the 632 000 tons of the previous season. The expected yield is 1,30 t/ha.
Other crops: It is estimated that 1 151 000 ha have been planted to soybeans, which represents an increase of 0,04% or 500 ha compared to the 1 150 500 ha planted last season. The production forecast is 2 325 225 tons, which is 25,82% or 477 225 tons more than the 1 848 000 tons of the previous season. The expected yield is 2,02 t/ha.
For groundnuts, the area estimate is 48 125 ha, which is 16,81% or 6 925 ha more than the 41 200 ha planted for the previous season. The expected crop is 65 359 tons – which is 25,69% or 13 359 tons more than the 52 000 tons of last season. The expected yield is 1,36 t/ha.
The area estimate for sorghum decreased by 4,04% or 1 700 ha, from 42 100 ha to 40 400 ha against the previous season. The production forecast for sorghum is 129 620 tons, which is 32,27% or 31 620 tons more than the 98 000 tons of the previous season. The expected yield is 3,21 t/ha.
For dry beans, the area estimate is 45 420 ha, which is 14,84% or 5 870 ha more than the 39 550 ha planted for the previous season. The production forecast is 75 966 tons, which is 50,44% or 25 471 tons more than the 50 495 tons of the previous season. The expected yield is 1,67 t/ha.
