Regardless of the criticism being offered, Grain SA remains convinced that advising farmers not to plant maize in the coming season is the right advice to be giving to farmers – maize producers cannot continue to plant maize at a loss, this according to Mr Bully Botma, chairman of GSA.

It would be irresponsible of Grain SA to encourage farmers to continue to grow maize until they face bankruptcy. Mr Botma adds that it is difficult to understand that some producers are of the opinion that they can produce maize profitably at the current prices, and the estimate of 1,7 million hectares to be planted comes as a surprise. 

Mr Botma says that he does is doubtful that the current crop was overestimated by 2,5 million tons, but even if the crop was overestimated by 1 million tons there will still be an enormous surplus.  If the intentions to plant, as reported by the National Crop Estimates Committee materialise, even at an average yield, this would lead to lower maize prices in the coming season. 

In the light of the above, Grain SA appeals to the maize producers to seriously reconsider their intentions to plant. If the balance between supply and demand of maize is not restored now, uneconomic price levels will certainly prevail for the next year, and even the following year.

Mielieprodusente gevra om te besin oor voorgenome aanplantings

“Ongeag kritiek dat Graan Suid-Afrika onverantwoordelik optree deur aan te moedig om nie mielies in die komende seisoen te plant nie, volstaan Graan Suid-Afrika by sy standpunt dat mielieprodusente nie mielies teen ‘n verlies moet produseer nie,” sê mnr Bully Botma, Voorsitter van Graan Suid-Afrika.

Graan Suid-Afrika sal juis onverantwoordelik wees deur produsente aan te moedig om hulleself bankrot te plant.  Mnr Botma sê dat dit onverstaanbaar is dat individue van mening is dat teen huidige prysvlakke winsgewend geproduseer kan word en is die eerste voorneme om te plant van 1,7 miljoen hektaar ietwat van ‘n verassing.

Mnr Botma sê dat die huidige oes in alle waarskynlikheid nie met 2,5 miljoen ton oorskat is nie, maar al is die oes tog oorskat, maak dit nie veel saak nie omdat oordragvoorrade selfs teen ‘n miljoen ton oorskatting steeds baie hoog sal wees.  Wat die Nasionale Oesskattings Komitee se voorneme om mielies te plant betref, sê mnr Botma dat indien die aanplantings wel sou plaasvind en ‘n gemiddelde opbrengs sou realiseer, mieliepryse in die komende seisoen steeds onder druk sal verkeer.

In die lig hiervan versoek Graan Suid-Afrika produsente om hulle voorgenome aanplantings ernstig in heroorweging te neem.  Indien die balans tussen vraag en aanbod van mielies nie nou herstel word nie, sal onekonomiese prysvlakke beslis vir die volgende jaar en selfs die jaar daarna voortduur.