REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN THE 2011/2012 SEASON FROM AN AGRICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

The South African (SA) sugar industry produced 16.8 million tons (Mt) of cane and 1.83 Mt of sugar in the 2011/12 milling season from an estimated 270 705 ha harvested. The objective of this paper is to characterise this production by relating yield and quality trends to the main production factors, namely climate, irrigation water supply, pests and diseases and economic conditions. This is done in order to provide insight into successes and failures of recent production strategies and identify priorities for improved efficiency in producing high quality sugarcane in South Africa. Rainfed cane yields in 2011 were higher than in 2010 for all mill supply areas (MSAs) except for Pongola, Midlands North and South Coast MSAs. The very dry conditions during the start of the 2011 growing season caused poor ratooning and canopy development and excessive weed pressures in many rainfed areas, with consequent negative impacts on yields. The drought of 2010 also caused a proliferation of Eldana infestation and damage in 2011 crops, especially in coastal areas. The most outstanding characteristic of the 2011 season was the very poor quality of delivered cane in rainfed MSAs. This was caused by frequent periods of very wet weather during the milling season, lower than average radiation, less carry-over cane at the start of the season and high levels of Eldana damage in coastal and Midlands MSAs. Industry average grower revenues improved in 2011 by 6%, mainly due to a higher RV price, and this partially offset increases in the cost of production inputs that exceeded the general inflation rate. Farmers in regions that have maintained average RV yields (e.g. irrigated MSAs) have benefited from higher RV prices, whereas growers with low RV yields (e.g. Midlands and South Coast MSAs) did not. The sharp increase in Eldana incidence in coastal regions and its gradual long term rise in the Midlands regions is a cause of concern for the future, and requires intervention to limit its negative effects on the 2012 crop. Widespread symptoms of brown rust developed towards the end of 2011 and the potential negative impact on yields in the 2012 milling season is another cause for concern. The 2011 experience highlighted the need for better knowledge of