Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Imports and Exports

Government green-lights yellow maize imports from Brazil

14 Aug 2024 - by Jeanne van der Merwe
 Source: Maritime Logistics News
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

In some coastal areas of South Africa, it is cheaper to import yellow maize from South America than sourcing it locally.

Fears of a possible shortage of yellow maize have been averted with a decision by the national department of agriculture to allow yellow maize imports from Brazil.

The National Agricultural Marketing Council estimated earlier this year that it might be necessary to import 383 000 tonnes of yellow maize – a crucial ingredient in animal feed – amid shrinking local production and rising prices brought about by lower rainfall in the country’s maize-producing regions.

While price increases have moderated since the 19% rise between January and May, it is still R275-R300 per tonne cheaper for animal feed manufacturers in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and possibly also parts of KwaZulu-Natal to import yellow maize than transport it locally from the production areas.

According to the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (Sacota), 168 000 tonnes of maize had been imported by 2 August.

“South Africa cannot just import maize from anywhere. Based on local GMO regulations, the list of cultivars approved in the exporting country must be synchronised with the local lists maintained by the Department of Agriculture,” according to a statement by Sacota. “This is despite the fact that the imported maize will be transported directly from the harbour to the feed processing plants and is prohibited from being used as seed.”

It is a complex process to synchronise these lists due to the complexity of modern GMO maize cultivars. However, on Monday Sacota received confirmation from the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development that imports of Brazilian maize would now be permitted.

“Brazilian maize is also likely to price a few dollars cheaper in the coming weeks, which could help to curb rising local prices. Ensuring that South Africa can import basic food commodities from the most cost-effective exporting countries is critical for food security in times of shortages. 

“This is an important step forward in ensuring food security for South Africa this season. Having more than one international supplier is critical. As it is, Argentina is experiencing a harbour export strike,” according to the Sacota statement.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Resilience required for air sector disruption – executive

Air Freight

Air traffic in the region is expected to rise by an average of 6.4% annually.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Insight of the week: legally ditching higher duties

The actual practice can be traced back to 1882, when an importer in the United States had sugar coated with molasses.

Yesterday
0 Comments

How to avoid the fear of being evaluated

Freight & Trading Weekly
Logistics
Skills & Training

Lifelong learning has become the norm across all economic sectors, both in the UK and globally.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Skills needed to unfreeze African growth potential

Logistics

Growth in demand for cold chain efficiencies is being driven by economic development and rising income.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Iran seeks full control of Russian Caspian Sea terminal

Logistics

The port handles a broad range of goods, including grain, timber, metal products and fertilisers.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Port of Ngqura to welcome first ultra large container vessel

Logistics
Sea Freight

The ULCV stands nearly three metres taller than vessels typically handled at the terminal.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Global ferry body strikes deal to boost safety

Logistics
Sea Freight

The agreement promotes cooperation between international members and operators in West and Central Africa.

Yesterday
0 Comments

SITA appoints Pedro Alves as senior vice president

Air Freight
Technology

The new VP is taking the reins at a time when the needs of border agencies are fast evolving.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Drivers targeted in latest cross-border scam at Kasumbalesa

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The Copperbelt’s most important border has been flagged for another scam aimed at fleecing truck drivers.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Automated multiple entries secure declaration ease on the TKC

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight
Technology

Removing single manifest entries is a major headache for consol cargo clients transiting through Botswana.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Global air cargo demand rises

Air Freight
Logistics

But some trade lanes have experienced a decline despite increased capacity.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Bank launches new SME exporter programme

Imports and Exports
Logistics

The development platform targets black-owned SMEs with turnovers under R50 million.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Road & Rail 27 June 2025

Border Beat

Forum tightens net against border corruption
25 Jun 2025
Police clamp down on cross-border crime
17 Jun 2025
Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

New

Road Logistics Pricing Specialist

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
02 Jul
New

Operations Manager

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
02 Jul
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us