La Niña: Heavy rains cause crop damage and higher food prices in South Africa
South Africa is usually associated with drought. At the moment the reality is different. According to a Grain SA (GSA) statement, indications are that the rainfall experienced in December 2021 was the highest in 100 years. The extreme rainfall was in some cases also accompanied by serious hail storms. The culprit causing these extreme rains is La Nina, and she is wreaking havoc.
Twenty percent of grain producers in South Africa have lost more than 60% of their white maize plantings to water damage in 2022 thus far, according to a survey done by Grain SA earlier in January.
Fifteen percent of yellow maize, 13% of soya bean and 17% of sunflower that was planted in the 2021/22 production season were destroyed by water damage following the excessive rains in the summer rainfall region since the end of November 2021.
Water is vitally important to South Africa, and in large parts of the country, the heavy rains have done wonders for the dams. They are now so full that they will have reserves for coming years. However the water damage to some crops will inevitably lead to a scarce harvest, and with that to higher food prices for an already hungry nation.
Follow the flollowing links to read more about the current fainfall situation in South Africa.
What South Africa’s excessive rains mean for food prices - The Mail & Guardian (mg.co.za)
Above-normal rainfall sees Vaal Dam overflowing posing threat to communities (iol.co.za)
High rainfall causes extensive damage to summer grain crop (farmersweekly.co.za)
