Maize for Japan throws EL a lifeline

Leonard Neill
THE FIRST shipment of non-genetically modified maize left East London harbour for Japan last Friday in a contract that has 'breathed new life into our almost defunct grain elevator', says National Port Authority spokesman Terry Taylor.
The maize bulk carrier 'Lok Maheshwari', flying an Indian flag, departed recently with a full load of 25 000 tons in what is to be the first of five shipments of the product to be dispatched at monthly intervals.
The shipment consisted of 8 000 tons of white maize and 17 000 tons of yellow maize. Altogether the harbour expects to handle between 120 000 and 150 000 tons in the five contracted shipments, according to Taylor.
Independent inspection company Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) is conducting the quality tests for the Japanese clients.
"They are on hand as it goes into the elevator and again when loaded on to the vessel," says Taylor. "The Japanese are very demanding in their quality control, and non-genetically modified grain, which they insist upon, is definitely a niche market with which the harbour can increase its revenue and its international profile."