29 3 000 2 500 2 000 1 500 1 000 500 0 5 4,5 4 3,5 3 2,5 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 1990/1991 1991/1992 1992/1993 1993/1994 1994/1995 1995/1996 1996/1997 1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 2024/2025* Graph 6: Wheat area planted, production and yield. Thousand ha or ton t/ha Area Production * Preliminary Yield 2023/2024 2024/2025 5-yr average 10-yr average Total planted (ha) 41 200 48 125 40 515 39 503 Total production (tons) 52 000 61 389 55 838 51 278 Average yield (t/ha) 0,77 0,88 1,4 1,27 Table 5: Production overview for groundnuts (2023/2024). 6. Wheat Graph 6 illustrates the long-term trends in wheat area planted, production, and yield in South Africa of the largest winter grain industry, from the 1990/1991 to 2024/2025 production seasons. Over this period, the total area planted of wheat has shown a steady long-term decline, particularly since the late 1990s, as producers shifted to alternative crops with higher profitability and climate change, especially away from the northern parts of the country. However, despite this decline in area, yield levels have shown a consistent upward trend, reflecting technological progress, improved seed genetics, and better management practices. During the 2023/2024 production season, a total of 537 950 ha of wheat was planted, 28 850 ha decrease compared to the 2022/2023 season, marking the second consecutive annual decline. This area remains 9 280 ha above five-year average and 21 069 tons above the ten-year average. The total production for the season is estimated at 2,09 million tons, with an average yield of 6 t/ha. While the reduction in area planted reduced total output, improved yield performance helped maintain stable production levels. For the upcoming 2024/2025 season, wheat production is projected to slightly decrease to 1,92 million tons, with the planted area expected to decrease further to 486 000 ha. Despite this, yield levels are forecast to improve modestly to 6,16 t/ha, remaining above both the five-year average yield of 4 t/ha and the ten-year average of 3,6 t/ha. The Western Cape remains the largest wheat-producing region, followed by the Northern Cape and the Free State under irrigation. PRODUCTION OVERVIEW
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