This AIMI survey of maize growers provides details of the 2023 New Zealand maize grain and silage harvest, along with sowing intentions for the coming year.
The objective of this AIMI survey of maize growers in New Zealand (NZ) was to determine:
• Final figures for the 2023 harvest of maize grain and silage
• Sales of the 2023 harvest of maize grain since June 1, 2023
• Levels of unsold maize grain from the 2023 harvest
• Sowings and sowing intentions for the current season for maize grown for grain and silage.
Key Points as at 31 October 2023:
- Final average yield of maize grain (9.8 t/ha) for the 2023 NZ harvest was down on that obtained last season (11.5 t/ha), and final average yield of maize silage (19.0 t dry matter (DM)/ha) was down on the 20.9 t DM/ha obtained last season. Note that these are averages across New Zealand and there will be differences across regions, especially in areas affected by a cyclone which caused flooding and wind damage in the North Island, on top of an already wet season.
- The estimated 168,300 tonnes for the maize grain 2023 NZ harvest was 11% down on last season’s harvest tonnage (188,200 t), as a result of a reduced yield (down 15%) for an increased harvest area (up 5%). An estimated 99.6% of the total crop had been sold as at October 31, 2023, as compared to 93.8% sold as at June 1, 2023. This corresponds to a reduction in unsold tonnage from 10,000 t on June 1, 2023 to 600 t on October 31, 2023. Comparing to the same time last year, the unsold tonnage on 31 October, 2022 was similar, at 700 t. (Note that stocks held by merchants were not considered here).
- For maize silage, the estimated 1,050,300 tonnes DM for the 2023 NZ harvest was down 7%compared to last season’s harvest tonnage (1,128,000 t DM). This was a result of a decreased yield (down 9%) for an increased harvest area (up 3%).
- Spring 2023 sowings and sowing intentions for maize grain as at 31 October 2023, were estimated to be up 5% on the area harvested last season. Sowing was only 51% complete (as compared to a
9- year average of 74%) and an estimated 43% of the 2024 maize grain harvest had been forward sold. - For maize silage, spring 2023 sowings and sowing intentions were estimated to be down 6% on the area harvested last season. Sowing was only 55% complete (as compared to a 9-year average of 68%) and an estimated 74% of the 2024 maize silage harvest had been forward sold.
- A wet spring in the east and north of the North Island has delayed some sowings by 2-4 weeks.
Read the full report here.