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.

Contentious MSB clause up for discussion at EWC presentation

Logistics

Cargo owners and their agents will most likely want to make use of multimodal alternatives.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Surging prices lift food inflation to 4.4% y-o-y in May

Economy
Social Development

Headline consumer inflation remained well contained after a surprising pause at 2.8% y-o-y in May.

 

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Houthi threat to Israeli-linked shipping remains high

Sea Freight

States that launch military action against the Houthis or Iran could also face danger in the region.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Airlink expands fleet to grow routes in Africa

Africa
Air Freight

Ten aircraft will be leased from Azorra, boosting capacity and cutting fuel use by 29%.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

MDM imports – poultry pips pilchards to the post

Imports and Exports

Mechanically deboned meat is essential in producing affordable processed protein products.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Has Botswana lost its sparkle? (No, think copper!)

Africa
Freight & Trading Weekly
Trade/Investment

The falling market and sliding prices have already taken a toll, with GDP contracting by 3% in the last financial year.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Second round of SA-US trade talks: what lies ahead in Luanda?

Economy
Imports and Exports
Trade/Investment

For the time being, South Africa is exempt from the aluminium tariff, but for how long?

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

SA airports get massive infrastructure revamp

Air Freight
Infrastructure

Fuel reliability at OR Tambo International Airport will be improved with a new 20-inch jet fuel line and redundancy system.

20 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Freight futures react as Iran-Israel conflict spirals

Logistics

Before last Friday’s surprise attack, VLCC rates were stable at about $20 000 per day.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Trans-Kalahari Corridor congestion at record levels

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

Previously, Botswana would allow consolidated cargo to be cleared as a single consignment.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Meat importers welcome partial lifting of poultry ban

Imports and Exports

But say the government must accelerate the reopening of other key poultry import markets in Europe.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Views differ about improved port performance

Logistics

Into June, the combined average for all terminals heralded a compliance rating of 80%.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Botswana 20 June 2025

Border Beat

Police clamp down on cross-border crime
17 Jun 2025
Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
Cross-border payments remain a hurdle – Masondo
30 May 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

Senior Sea/Air Import/Export Controller (Multimodal Controller) Strong on Imports

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
20 Jun
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us