The area planted estimate and third production forecast for 2018 summer crops and intentions to plant winter cereals for the 2018 season
Oppervlakte beplant en derde produksieskatting vir 2018 somergewasse en voorneme om wintergewasse te plant vir die 2018 seisoen
- Summer crops / Somergewasse
- Graph: Maize production / Grafiek: Mielieproduksie
- Graph: Maize yields / Grafiek: Mielie-opbrengste
- White and yellow maize / Wit- en geelmielies
- Sunflower seed / Sonneblomsaad
- Soybeans / Sojabone
- Groundnuts / Grondbone
- Dry beans / Droëbone
- Sorghum
- Notes / Aantekeninge
- Non-commercial maize / Nie-kommersiële mielies
- Graph: Non-commercial maize area / Grafiek: Nie-kommersiële mielie-oppervlaktes
- Graph: Non-commercial maize production / Grafiek: Nie-kommersiële mielieproduksie
- Winter cereals / Wintergewasse
- Graph: Wheat area planted / Grafiek: Koring oppervlaktes
- Graph: Malting barley / Grafiek: Moutgars
- Graph: Canola / Grafiek: Canola
- Wheat / Koring
- Notes / Aantekeninge
Syfers deur die Oesskattingskomitee verskaf
| Crop / Gewas | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Second forecast Tweede skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
Change Verandering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | ||
| Ha | Tons | Tons | Ha | Tons | % | |
| (A) | (B) | (C) | (D) | (E) | (B) ÷ (C) | |
| Commercial / Kommersieël | ||||||
| White maize / Witmielies | 1 268 100 | 6 629 660 | 6 363 100 | 1 643 100 | 9 916 000 | +4.2 |
| Yellow maize / Geelmielies | 1 050 750 | 6 197 150 | 6 057 400 | 985 500 | 6 904 000 | +2.3 |
| Total Maize / Totale Mielies | 2 318 850 | 12 826 810 | 12 420 500 | 2 628 600 | 16 820 000 | +3.3 |
| Sunflower seed / Sonneblomsaad | 601 500 | 792 255 | 749 205 | 635 750 | 874 000 | +5.8 |
| Soybeans / Sojabone | 787 200 | 1 430 300 | 1 394 800 | 573 950 | 1 316 000 | +2.6 |
| Groundnuts / Grondbone | 56 300 | 80 600 | 80 600 | 56 000 | 92 050 | – |
| Sorghum | 28 800 | 84 750 | 84 750 | 42 350 | 152 000 | – |
| Dry beans / Droëbone | 53 360 | 65 610 | 68 210 | 45 050 | 68 525 | -3.8 |
| Non-commercial maize / Nie-kommersiële mielies | ||||||
| Total maize / Totaal mielies | 314 835 | 593 975 | n/a | 366 650 | 731 000 | |
| Maize: commercial + non-commercial / Mielies: kommersieël + nie-kommersieël | ||||||
| Total maize RSA / Totaal mielies RSA | 2 633 685 | 13 420 785 | n/a | 2 995 250 | 17 551 000 | |
Note: Estimate is for calendar year, e.g. production season 2017/18 = 2018
Nota: Skatting is vir kalenderjaar, bv. produksie-seisoen 2017/18 = 2018
Production 1924-2018 Produksie
Yields 1924-2018 Opbrengs
| Area planted / Oppervlakte beplant | Third forecast / Derde skatting | Area planted / Oppervlakte beplant | Final crop ¹ / Finale oes ¹ | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||
| White Wit |
Yellow Geel |
Total Totaal |
White Wit |
Yellow Geel |
Total Totaal |
White Wit |
Yellow Geel |
Total Totaal |
White Wit |
Yellow Geel |
Total Totaal |
| Ha | Ha | Ha | Tons | Tons | Tons | Ha | Ha | Ha | Tons | Tons | Tons |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | |||||||||||
| 0 | 3 750 | 3 750 | 0 | 33 750 | 33 750 | 200 | 2 000 | 2 200 | 2 000 | 20 000 | 22 000 |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | |||||||||||
| 3 600 | 43 000 | 46 600 | 41 760 | 636 400 | 678 160 | 3 500 | 45 000 | 48 500 | 46 200 | 666 000 | 712 200 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | |||||||||||
| 644 000 | 410 000 | 1 054 000 | 3 413 200 | 2 091 000 | 5 504 200 | 805 000 | 355 000 | 1 160 000 | 5 110 000 | 2 252 000 | 7 362 000 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | |||||||||||
| 3 500 | 11 000 | 14 500 | 21 700 | 71 500 | 93 200 | 4 400 | 9 500 | 13 900 | 30 800 | 66 500 | 97 300 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | |||||||||||
| 45 000 | 50 000 | 95 000 | 292 500 | 380 000 | 672 500 | 50 000 | 50 000 | 100 000 | 350 000 | 390 000 | 740 000 |
| Mpumalanga | |||||||||||
| 140 000 | 340 000 | 480 000 | 840 000 | 2 040 000 | 2 880 000 | 160 000 | 330 000 | 490 000 | 1 088 000 | 2 342 500 | 3 430 500 |
| Limpopo | |||||||||||
| 12 000 | 21 000 | 33 000 | 84 000 | 142 800 | 226 800 | 40 000 | 24 000 | 64 000 | 300 000 | 192 000 | 492 000 |
| Gauteng | |||||||||||
| 50 000 | 62 000 | 112 000 | 290 000 | 378 200 | 668 200 | 60 000 | 60 000 | 120 000 | 390 000 | 414 000 | 804 000 |
| North West / Noordwes | |||||||||||
| 370 000 | 110 000 | 480 000 | 1 646 500 | 423 500 | 2 070 000 | 520 000 | 110 000 | 630 000 | 2 599 000 | 561 000 | 3 160 000 |
| Total / Totaal | |||||||||||
| 1 268 100 | 1 050 750 | 2 318 850 | 6 629 660 | 6 197 150 | 12 826 810 | 1 643 100 | 985 500 | 2 628 600 | 9 916 000 | 6 904 000 | 16 820 000 |
| Province / Provinsie | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | 100 | 100 | – | – |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | 1 600 | 1 920 | 250 | 400 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 314 000 | 455 300 | 330 000 | 478 000 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| KwaZulu-Natal | – | – | 300 | 300 |
| Mpumalanga | 2 300 | 2 185 | 2 200 | 2 300 |
| Limpopo | 45 000 | 36 000 | 90 000 | 85 500 |
| Gauteng | 5 500 | 5 500 | 3 000 | 3 000 |
| North West / Noordwes | 233 000 | 291 250 | 210 000 | 304 500 |
| Total / Totaal | 601 500 | 792 255 | 635 750 | 874 000 |
| Province / Provinsie | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | 800 | 1 200 | 700 | 1 050 |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | 3 000 | 9 900 | 3 000 | 10 500 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 345 000 | 517 500 | 240 000 | 504 000 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | 2 400 | 2 400 | 1 850 | 2 775 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 40 000 | 124 000 | 30 500 | 89 605 |
| Mpumalanga | 310 000 | 604 500 | 241 000 | 554 300 |
| Limpopo | 20 000 | 55 000 | 8 500 | 29 750 |
| Gauteng | 30 000 | 60 000 | 25 400 | 71 120 |
| North West / Noordwes | 36 000 | 55 800 | 23 000 | 52 900 |
| Total / Totaal | 787 200 | 1 430 300 | 573 950 | 1 316 000 |
| Province / Provinsie | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | 2 800 | 8 400 | 4 000 | 14 000 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 22 000 | 33 000 | 22 000 | 34 100 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| KwaZulu-Natal | – | – | – | – |
| Mpumalanga | – | – | – | – |
| Limpopo | 3 500 | 7 000 | 3 000 | 4 800 |
| Gauteng | – | – | – | – |
| North West / Noordwes | 28 000 | 32 200 | 27 000 | 39 150 |
| Total / Totaal | 56 300 | 80 600 | 56 000 | 92 050 |
| Province / Provinsie | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | 20 | 30 | 100 | 150 |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | 540 | 1 080 | 650 | 1 300 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 26 000 | 28 600 | 20 000 | 32 000 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | 300 | 450 | 300 | 450 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 3 000 | 3 600 | 4 500 | 5 400 |
| Mpumalanga | 7 000 | 9 800 | 5 500 | 8 525 |
| Limpopo | 7 500 | 11 250 | 7 000 | 12 950 |
| Gauteng | 1 000 | 1 200 | 1 500 | 2 250 |
| North West / Noordwes | 8 000 | 9 600 | 5 500 | 5 500 |
| Total / Totaal | 53 360 | 65 610 | 45 050 | 68 525 |
| Province / Provinsie | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Third forecast Derde skatting |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 6 300 | 18 900 | 7 700 | 24 640 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | – | – | – | – |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 500 | 1 750 | 400 | 1 520 |
| Mpumalanga | 7 500 | 36 000 | 12 000 | 62 400 |
| Limpopo | 5 000 | 6 000 | 18 000 | 50 400 |
| Gauteng | 1 500 | 4 500 | 750 | 2 400 |
| North West / Noordwes | 8 000 | 17 600 | 3 500 | 10 640 |
| Total / Totaal | 28 800 | 84 750 | 42 350 | 152 000 |
Summer crops / Somergewasse
Area estimate and third production forecast (2018) / Oppervlakte- en derde produksieskatting (2018)
Summer field crops – 2018
Commercial maize: The size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 12,827 million tons, which is 3,27% or 406 310 tons more than the previous forecast of 12,420 million tons. The area estimate for maize is 2,319 million ha, while the expected yield is 5,53 t/ha.
The estimated maize crop is 24% smaller than the 2017 crop, which was the highest crop ever (16,820 million tons). The three main maize producing areas, namely the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces are expected to produce 82% of the 2018 crop.
The area estimate for white maize is 1,268 million ha and for yellow maize the area estimate is 1,051 million ha.
The production forecast of white maize is 6,630 million tons, which is 4,19% or 266 560 tons more than the 6,363 million tons of the previous forecast. The yield for white maize is 5,23 t/ha. In the case of yellow maize the production forecast is 6,197 million tons, which is 2,31% or 139 750 tons more than the 6,057 million tons of the previous forecast. The yield for yellow maize is 5,90 t/ha.
The yield per ha for the Mpumalanga province was based on scientific and objective results provided by the ARC. Please note that the objective results for the Free State and North West provinces will be available in May 2018.
Sunflower seed: The production forecast for sunflower seed is 792 255 tons, which is 5,75% or 43 050 tons more than the 749 205 tons of the previous forecast. The area estimate for sunflower seed is 601 500 ha, while the expected yield is 1,32 t/ha.
Other crops:
The production forecast for soybeans is 1,430 million tons, which is 2,55% or 35 500 tons more than the 1,395 million tons of the previous forecast. It is the largest soybean crop produced in the history of SA. The estimated area planted to soybeans is 787 200 ha and the expected yield is 1,82 t/ha.
The expected groundnut crop remained unchanged at 80 600 tons. The area estimate is 56 300 ha and the expected yield is 1,43 t/ha.
The production forecast for sorghum also remained unchanged at 84 750 tons, whilst the area estimate for sorghum is 28 800 ha. The expected yield is 2,94 t/ha.
In the case of dry beans, the production forecast is 65 610 tons, which is 3,81% or 2 600 tons less than the 68 210 tons of the previous forecast. The area estimate of dry beans is 53 360 ha, with an expected yield of 1,23 t/ha.
Please note that the fourth production forecast for summer field crops for 2018 will be released on 29 May 2018.
Information is available on the internet at:
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development" target="_blank">Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or:
SAGIS/" target="_blank">SAGIS, as from 14:30 on the date of the relevant meeting of the Crop Estimates Committee.
Somergewasse – 2018
Kommersiële mielies: Die grootte van die verwagte kommersiële mielie-oes is op 12,827 miljoen ton gestel, wat 3,27% of 406 310 ton meer is as die vorige skatting van 12,420 miljoen ton. Die skatting van die oppervlakte onder mielies is 2,319 miljoen ha, terwyl die verwagte opbrengs 5,53 t/ha is.
Die geskatte mielie-oes is 24% kleiner as die 2017-oes, wat die grootste oes nog ooit was (16,820 miljoen ton). Die drie belangrikste mielieproduserende gebiede, naamlik die Vrystaat, Mpumalanga en Noordwes provinsies, gaan na verwagting 82% van die 2018-oes produseer.
Die oppervlak onder witmielies is 1,268 miljoen ha en vir geelmielies is die oppervlak 1,051 miljoen ha.
Die produksieskatting van witmielies is 6,630 miljoen ton, wat 4,19% of 266 560 ton meer is as die 6,363 miljoen ton van die vorige skatting. Die opbrengs van witmielies is 5,23 t/ha. In die geval van geelmielies is die produksieskatting 6,197 miljoen ton, wat 2,31% of 139 750 ton meer is as die 6,057 miljoen ton van die vorige skatting. Die opbrengs van geelmielies is 5,90 t/ha.
Die opbrengs-bepaling per ha vir die Mpumalanga provinsie is gebaseer op wetenskaplike en objektiewe resultate verstrek deur die LNR. Neem kennis dat die objektiewe resultate vir die Vrystaat en Noordwes provinsies, in Mei 2018 gerapporteer sal word.
Sonneblomsaad: Die produksieskatting vir sonneblomsaad is 792 255 ton, wat 5,75% of 43 050 ton meer is as die 749 205 ton van die vorige skatting. Die oppervlakteskatting vir sonneblomsaad is 601 500 ha, terwyl die verwagte opbrengs 1,32 t/ha is.
Ander gewasse:
Die produksieskatting van sojabone is 1,430 miljoen ton, wat 2,55% of 35 500 ton meer is as die 1,395 miljoen ton van die vorige skatting. Dit is die grootste sojaboon-oes nog geproduseer in die geskiedenis van SA. Die geskatte oppervlakte beplant met sojabone is 787 200 ha en die verwagte opbrengs is 1,82 t/ha.
Die verwagte grondbone-oes is onveranderd gelaat op 80 600 ton. Die oppervlakteskatting is 56 300 ha, terwyl die verwagte opbrengs 1,43 t/ha is.
Die produksieskatting van sorghum is ook onveranderd gelaat op 84 750 ton, terwyl die oppervlakteskatting vir sorghum 28 800 ha is. Die verwagte opbrengs is 2,94 t/ha.
In die geval van droëbone is die produksieskatting 65 610 ton, wat 3,81% of 2 600 ton minder is as die 68 210 ton van die vorige skatting. Die oppervlakte beplant met droëbone is 53 360 ha, en die verwagte opbrengs is 1,23 t/ha.
Neem asseblief kennis dat die vierde produksieskatting vir somergewasse vir 2018, op 29 Mei 2018 vrygestel sal word.
Inligting is beskikbaar op die internet by:
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development" target="_blank">Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of by:
SAGIS/" target="_blank">SAGIS, vanaf 14:30 op die dag van die toepaslike vergadering van die Oesskattingskomitee.
| Crop / Gewas | Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Production Produksie |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final crop Finale oes |
Change Verandering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | ||
| Ha | Tons | Ha | Tons | % | |
| (A) | (B) | (C) | (D) | (B) ÷ (D) | |
| Non-commercial agriculture / Nie-kommersiële landbou | |||||
| White maize / Witmielies | 236 644 | 414 162 | 248 500 | 463 600 | -10.66 |
| Yellow maize / Geelmielies | 78 191 | 179 813 | 118 150 | 267 400 | -32.76 |
| Maize / Mielies | 314 835 | 593 975 | 366 650 | 731 000 | -18.74 |
The preliminary area planted to maize in the non-commercial agricultural sector is estimated at 314 835 ha, which represents a decrease of 14,13%, compared to the 366 650 ha of the previous season. The expected maize crop for this sector is 593 975 tons, which is 18,74% less than the 731 000 tons of last season. It is important to note that about 40% of the maize produced in the non-commercial sector, is planted in the Eastern Cape.
Die voorlopige oppervlakte beplant met mielies in die nie-kommersiële landbou-sektor word geskat op 314 835 ha, wat 'n afname van 14,13% verteenwoordig in vergelyking met die 366 650 ha van die vorige seisoen. Die verwagte mielie-oes van dié sektor is 593 975 ton, wat 18,74% minder is as die 731 000 ton van die vorige seisoen. Dit is belangrik om daarop te let dat ongeveer 40% van die mielies wat geproduseer word in die nie-kommersiële sektor, in die Oos-Kaap geplant word.
Area 2000-2018 Oppervlakte
Production 2000-2018 Produksie
| Crop / Gewas | Intentions * Voorneme * |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final estimate Finale skatting |
Change / Verandering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | ||
| Ha | Ha | Tons | % | |
| (A) | (B) | (C) | (A) ÷ (B) | |
| Wheat / Koring | 500 500 | 491 600 | 1 524 750 | +1.8 |
| Malting barley / Moutgars | 95 700 | 91 380 | 307 064 | +4.7 |
| Canola | 78 500 | 84 000 | 93 468 | -6.6 |
| Total / Totaal | 674 700 | 666 980 | 1 925 282 | +1.2 |
Area planted 2005-2018 Oppervlakte beplant
Area planted 2005-2018 Oppervlakte beplant
Area planted 2005-2018 Oppervlakte beplant
| Province / Provinsie | Intentions * Voorneme * |
Area planted Oppervlakte beplant |
Final estimate Finale skatting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Ha | Ha | Tons | |
| Western Cape / Wes-Kaap | 320 000 | 326 000 | 586 800 |
| Northern Cape / Noord-Kaap | 37 000 | 38 000 | 311 600 |
| Free State / Vrystaat | 95 000 | 80 000 | 328 000 |
| Eastern Cape / Oos-Kaap | 2 000 | 1 900 | 9 500 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 6 500 | 7 500 | 45 750 |
| Mpumalanga | 3 500 | 4 000 | 25 200 |
| Limpopo | 22 000 | 20 000 | 130 000 |
| Gauteng | 500 | 700 | 4 200 |
| North West / Noordwes | 14 000 | 13 500 | 83 700 |
| Total / Totaal | 500 500 | 491 600 | 1 524 750 |
Winter crops / Wintergewasse
Intentions to plant winter crops for 2018 / Voorneme om wintergewasse aan te plant vir 2018
Winter cereal crops – 2018
Producers' intentions to plant winter cereals are based on the results of a nonprobability survey conducted by the Directorate: Statistics and Economic Analysis of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and reflects the position as at the middle of April 2018.
The figures for wheat represent the total number of hectares that are intended to be planted for grain, excluding any hectares that will be planted for fodder and grazing.
Early indications are that producers intend to plant 500 500 ha of wheat for the 2018 production season. This is 1,81% or 8 900 ha more than 491 600 ha planted to wheat in 2017.
The main producing areas are within the Western Cape with 320 000 ha (64%), followed by the Free State with 95 000 ha (19%) and the Northern Cape with 37 000 ha (7%).
The expected area planted to malting barley is 95 700 ha, which is 4,73% or 4 320 ha more than the 91 380 ha of the previous year. The expected area planted to canola is 78 500 ha, which is 6,55% or 5 500 ha less than the 84 000 ha planted in 2017.
Please note that the preliminary area estimate of winter crops for 2018 will be released on 26 July 2018.
Information is available on the internet at:
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development" target="_blank">Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or:
SAGIS/" target="_blank">SAGIS, as from 14:30 on the date of the relevant meeting of the Crop Estimates Committee.
Wintergewasse – 2018
Produsente se voorneme om wintergewasse te plant is gebaseer op die resultate van 'n nie-ewekansige opname onderneem deur die Direktoraat: Statistiek en Ekonomiese Analise van die Departement van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye en weerspieël die situasie teen die middel van April 2018.
Die syfers vir koring verteenwoordig die totale aantal hektare wat werklik beplant gaan word vir graan, uitgesluit alle hektare wat beplant gaan word vir groenvoer en weiding.
Vroeë aanduidings is dat produsente van voorneme is om 500 500 ha koring te plant vir die 2018-produksie-seisoen. Dit is 1,81% of 8 900 ha meer koring aangeplant as in 2017.
Die grootste produserende gebiede is in die Wes-Kaap, met 320 000 ha (64%), gevolg deur die Vrystaat met 95 000 ha (19%) en die Noord-Kaap met 37 000 ha (7%).
Die verwagte aanplantings van moutgars is 95 700 ha – 4,73% of 4 320 ha meer as die 91 380 ha van die vorige jaar. Die verwagte aanplantings van canola is 78 500 ha, wat 6,55% of 5 500 ha minder is as die 84 000 ha wat aangeplant was in 2017.
Neem asseblief kennis dat die voorlopige oppervlakteskatting vir wintergewasse vir 2018 op 26 Julie 2018 vrygestel sal word.
Inligting is beskikbaar op die internet by:
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development" target="_blank">Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of by:
SAGIS/" target="_blank">SAGIS, vanaf 14:30 op die dag van die toepaslike vergadering van die Oesskattingskomitee.
CONFIDENTIALITY ISSUES that CEC members are committed to adhere to on the day of the meeting
- Personal items such as laptops, handbags, cell phones, etc. are not allowed in the venue during the meeting.
- No member is allowed to leave the meeting before 12:00 in order to prevent disclosure of the information.
- The embargo time for the release of crop estimates information is 15:30.
- No member is allowed to discuss crop estimates information with anyone other than a member of the Committee before the embargo time.
- Only the Chairperson, or a member appointed by the Chairperson, may release the figures to the media.
- Members must regard the detail of any information that was collected for and/or discussed during the meeting, as confidential.
- Individual information received for crop estimate purposes is treated strictly confidential, and is not divulged for any other purposes.