Rising demand and drought spur SA maize imports
South Africa is importing white maize for the first time in eight years due to severe drought causing poor harvests and regional shortages. Dr. André van der Vyver, Sacota’s executive director, noted strong demand from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe as a key factor. Imports of yellow maize and soybeans began earlier, with the first shipment arriving in April 2024.
The severe drought that has wreaked havoc on farmers nationwide has forced the country to import white maize for the first time in eight years. The poor harvests caused by the prolonged dry conditions have resulted in a significant shortage of this essential crop.
The executive director of the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (Sacota), Dr André van der Vyver, said the imports do not mean the country cannot feed itself, however, the demands from neighbouring states forced the decision to be taken.
SA needed to import maize
“From a Southern African perspective, during most years South Africa also supplies countries such as Botswana, Namibia, etc. with the bulk of their demands. What the South African grain industry did not fully anticipate was that the drought would also affect crop production in the countries around us, and we saw strong demand from particularly Zimbabwe, not only for white maize but also yellow maize.
“As early as end February 2024 it became evident that South Africa would have to import yellow maize and possibly white maize and soybeans. Johannesburg Stock Exchange traded maize and soybean prices started to increase steadily and by end April 2024, the first shipment of Argentinian yellow maize was offloaded in Cape Town,” he said.
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Source : Foodformzansi
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