The lifting of a ban by the Zimbabwean government on genetically modified (GM) maize imports has created significant opportunities for South African maize farmers.
Zimbabwe is battling its worst drought in 40 years, the economy is in free fall, and more than half of the country’s population is in need of food.
According to data from the South African Grain Information Service (Sagis), Zimbabwe imported 100 000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania in 2019, and 79 283 tons from South Africa between May 2019 and January this year.
Sagis confirmed that despite drought conditions experienced across the region, South Africa had the potential to supply Zimbabwe with large volumes of maize.
The Zimbabwean government announced that plans were also under way to provide special clearance for trucks bringing in the grain to avoid delays at southern Africa’s busiest border, Beitbridge. – Zoë van Rooyen.
