JOHANNESBURG, March 23 (Reuters) – South African maize farmers are expected to harvest 6% more of the staple crop in the 2020/2021 season compared with the previous season, boosted by favourable weather conditions and increased plantings, a Reuters survey showed on Tuesday.

South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) is expected to forecast the maize production at 16.289 million tonnes for the 2020/2021 season, up from the 15.300 million tonnes planted last season, an average estimate of five traders and analysts showed.

“Increased area plantings and generally good weather conditions across South Africa have boosted the crop yields,” said Agricultural Business Chamber chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.

“The feedback from farmers on the ground is largely positive about the yield prospects.”

The survey expects the crop to consist of 8.552 million tonnes of white maize, used mainly for human consumption, and 7.737 million tonnes of yellow maize used mainly in animal feed.

The CEC will release its second production forecast for the 2021 summer crops on Thursday. (Reporting by Akhona Matshoba Editing by Tanisha Heiberg and Jonathan Oatis)

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