The recent rains have been favourable for the country’s 2023/24 winter crops, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz).
Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at Agbiz, said yesterday that crops were mostly in good condition in the Western Cape, which accounts for over two-thirds of the winter wheat, barley, canola and oats plantings.
“The heavy rains in June in the region, which damaged infrastructure, had a minimal adverse effect on the overall winter crops,” Sihlobo said.
The feedback from conversations with producers in the province suggested that the country could receive above-average yields in winter crops.
“Other notable winter crop-producing provinces, such as the Northern Cape, Free State and Limpopo, also have good soil moisture from the summer rainfall. The weather conditions have also been colder this winter, supporting crop…
