S.Africa maize futures end mixed, wheat down

South African maize futures ended mixed on Tuesday, while the most active wheat future closed lower, in line with international prices.

The most active March white maize futures contract, which has risen about 12 percent this year, closed 0.41 percent lower at 1,463 rand, while yellow maize for delivery in the same month ended 0.77 percent higher at 1,573 rand.

Wheat for delivery in March closed down 0.87 percent at 3,205 rand but is still close to record highs.

Corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), which local traders watch to remain competitive, edged lower as rains boosted crops prospects in Argentina, the world's top supplier of grains and oilseed.

CBOT wheat futures also slid amid concerns that political upheaval gripping Egypt will prevent the top importer ordering shipments.

South Africa, the biggest producer of maize on the continent, last year harvested 12.815 million tonnes, the biggest crop in 30 years.

However, farmers have planted less maize this season partly due to lower prices after the bumper harvest. Wheat output is likely to be lower than previously expected, a government agency said last week.

Heavy rains this year have also affected about one million acres of land throughout the country.