Abstract
Cereal production, in particular, occupies a significant position in South Africa’s agricultural production. According to the latest data for 2022, the cereal with the largest production volume is corn, with 16.5 million tonnes produced. It also plays a major role in the food consumed in the country, with maize being used primarily for food and as livestock feed. In addition, South Africa is a major exporter of cereals, including maize, and is a key supplier to international markets. Compared to past data, grain production volumes appear to be relatively stable, but they are also vulnerable to changes in climate and market demand. Additionally, in order to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production, it is necessary to introduce sustainable agricultural techniques and make efficient use of water resources. 2/2.
Production(production (production volume))
South African cereal production has shown a lot of fluctuation between 1961 and 2022. Corn, in particular, had the highest production volume, reaching a peak of 17.9 million tons in 2017. Since that year, production volume has been declining, with production volume in 2022 expected to be 16.5 million tons, equivalent to 92.1% of the peak. Maize is South Africa’s major cereal crop and plays an important role in domestic consumption and as livestock feed. Fluctuations in production volume are greatly influenced by weather conditions, market trends, and agricultural policies, and natural disasters such as droughts and water shortages in particular often have an impact on production. Past data shows that corn production is subject to temporary increases and decreases, but a stable supply is required. The future challenges will be to implement adaptation measures to deal with climate change and introduce sustainable agricultural techniques.
The maximum is 17.9Mt[2017] of Corn, and the current value is about 92.1%
Production (food)
Cereal food production in South Africa has shown significant fluctuations between 1961 and 2021. Maize production in particular is important, with 6.18 million tons recorded for food use in 2018, the highest ever. However, current production volume is 5.18 million tons, which is 83.8% of the peak level, and is on a downward trend. This decline is due to factors such as droughts and higher temperatures caused by climate change, as well as the introduction of technologies to improve the efficiency of agricultural production. In addition, some corn is being diverted for livestock feed or export, with adjustments being made to ensure domestic consumption. Grain production in South Africa is an important foundation for meeting domestic demand, and stable production is also required from the perspective of food security. Going forward, the introduction of sustainable agricultural techniques and adaptation measures will be key.
The maximum is 6.18Mt[2018] of Corn, and the current value is about 83.8%
Import and export (exports)
South Africa’s cereal export volumes have shown notable fluctuations since 1961. Maize exports in particular were significant, reaching a peak export volume of 4.41 million tonnes, reflecting South Africa’s status as a major cereal exporter. The average export volume is 886 thousand tons, with export volumes fluctuating significantly from year to year. These fluctuations are influenced by domestic production volumes, climatic conditions and international market demand. Additionally, total cereal exports in 1961 stood at 5.24 million tonnes, making South African cereals a significant source of supply on regional and world markets. Since most corn is exported to African countries, the Middle East and Asian markets, it is important to balance domestic demand with export demand. In the future, production technologies to adapt to climate change and changes in market trends may affect export volumes, so a stable supply will be required.
The maximum is 8.27Mt[2019] of Corn, and the current value is about 85.6%
Animal (feed)
South Africa’s cereal production is highly dependent on maize, particularly for animal feed production. Based on data from 1961, the maximum production of corn for animal feed was 8.27 million tons, which is still the maximum production today. Maize plays an essential role in livestock feed and therefore plays an important role in agricultural production in South Africa. In recent years, demand for animal feed has been on the rise, and there is a need for a stable supply, especially in areas where livestock farming is thriving. Corn is used for food, but due to high demand for livestock, a large proportion of it is used as animal feed. In the future, in order to meet the increasing demand for feed, it will become increasingly important to introduce efficient agricultural techniques and production methods that are suited to climate change. Another challenge will be balancing domestic demand with the export market.
The maximum is 8.27Mt[2019] of Corn, and the current value is about 85.6%
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