AGFACTS Newsbrief Summary - December 2010

·       The year-on-year value (October) of the nominal effective rand rate of exchange (smoothed) is approximately 9% higher than it was a year ago.

·       The trend in year-on-year price changes of all categories of agricultural machinery is upwards.   The current year-on-year reduction in the overall price index (smoothed) is 4.7%.

·       Year-on-year agricultural machinery price changes should continue to decline, at least in the short term.

·       The overall wheat crop is expected to be 1.571 million tons in the 2010 season, almost 20% lower than last season.

·       The “Intentions to Plant” forecast for commercial maize for the 2010/2011 season is 2.469 million hectares, 10.0% down on last year.

·       Year-to-date tractor sales of 4 774 units are 10.4% lower than last year.

·       Overall tractor sales for 2010 (excluding exports) are now expected to be approximately 5 000 units.