South African maize futures ended the session mixed on Thursday in choppy trade.
Johann Theron, market watcher at RMB, said market participants weren't willing to take strong positions until after the release of the Crop Estimates Committee's report next Tuesday.
The committee will update area and will give a second production forecast of the summer grain crops in the 2011-12 season.
Maize prices have risen significantly in recent sessions on market concerns about poor rainfall impacting on the crop yields.
The May 2012 white maize contract was up R12 to R2,352 per ton, July 2012 white maize gained R7 to R2,250 per ton, and September 2012 white maize lifted R7 to R2,275 per ton, according to preliminary I-Net Bridge data.
The May 2012 yellow maize contract dipped R17 to R2,208 per ton, the July 2012 yellow maize contract edged down R3 to R2,174 per ton and the September 2012 yellow maize contract shed R2.20 to R2,197.80 per ton.
The May wheat contract was up R11 to R2,740 per ton, July wheat shed R11 to R2,782 per ton, while the September 2012 wheat contract was unchanged at R2,770 per ton.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that US grain and soybean futures were mixed on Wednesday, as corn and wheat fell amid favourable spring weather while soybeans climbed on supply concerns.
Corn futures for May delivery at the Chicago Board of Trade ended down 5 1/2 cents at US$6.42 per bushel, while May wheat futures fell 6 1/4 cents to $6.36 1/4.
The grain markets were pressured by the record-breaking warmth across the US Midwest, which has also been accompanied by rains that in some cases have alleviated drought concerns.
The unprecedented warm spell has given corn growers the chance to prepare fields early, and is also prompting talk of planting already, weeks earlier than normal. - I-Net Bridge