The recovery of crops bodes well for consumers as prices should come down
The mid-summer drought and animal diseases resulted in reduced crop yields and hurt the poultry, piggery and cattle sectors
Area plantings for maize and sunflower seed are above the five-year average
Taking a step back this week, there is still great cause for optimism about 2023-24’s agricultural output
During El Niño spring rainfall will be above-normal for most of the country and below-normal summer rainfall over the central to western regions and above-normal rainfall in the northeast
The non-renewal of the Black Sea Grain Deal and India’s rice ban continue to weigh heavily on production
The maize yield is above the 10-year average even though the area planted is lower than last year
The weather remains topical across the Southern Hemisphere but has resulted in mixed fortunes
But higher international commodity prices will keep input costs elevated for the livestock and poultry sector