Browse Data and Analysis

Post forecasts that the South African sugar cane crop will expand by 9 percent to 18.8 million metric tons (MT) in the 2022/23 market year (MY), based on a return to normal weather conditions, an improvement in yields, and marginal increases in planted area.

Sugar production in marketing year MY 2022/23 is forecast to decrease to 530,000 MT, down five percent from the MY 2020/21 estimate, due to fertilizer and pesticide price increases during 2021, and despite a slight increase in planted area of 1,000 hectares.

South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with a well-developed agribusiness sector that plays a significant role in job creation and economic growth. Although largely self-sufficient in agricultural production, South Africa offers some opportunities for U.S. exports, especially in the food ingredients sector.

The food processing industry is an important component of Ecuador’s manufacturing sector. In 2020, the sector contributed $6.5 billion to Ecuador’s gross domestic product and grossed $11 billion in net sales. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food ingredient products to supply this industry.

The Government of Ecuador continues defining the yearly minimum price for local production of corn, rice, and wheat. The Minister of Agriculture supports the reduction of corn area and the shift to other crops that are mainly focused on the export market.

South Africa experienced an upward trend in oilseed production (soybeans and sunflower seeds) driven largely by rising oilseed prices, higher yielding cultivars, and a local demand-pull from investments in new oilseed processing plants.