Maize: Due to the severe rainfall conditions in the US; corn plantings are being delayed due to wet fields.

Apple harvesting is all but done in South Africa with just a few Cripps and Granny Smiths to go.

The South African wine industry has entered a new phase of repositioning, consolidation and reinvestment. Climate change, shifts in production and demand and financial pressures have led to the industry becoming smaller and required producers and wineries to rethink the way they do business.

At the moment, the price of pineapples on the world market is fairly stable. The quality is generally good. There are small volumes on the European market and both supply and demand are limited. The demand in Germany is even declining somewhat compared to previous years.

Widespread and prolonged rain over the eastern parts of South Africa has disrupted the Free State potato harvest, reducing supplies on the market and driving a consequent strong increase in price: over two days last week the daily average national price on a 10kg bag of potatoes rose by 43%.

Panama disease, an infection that ravages banana plants, has been sweeping across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. The impact has been devastating. In the Philippines alone, losses have totalled US$400m.