SOUTH AFRICA will export 1 275 000 tons of maize, mainly to other southern African countries this year while importing about 784 000 tons to meet the balance of requirements, says Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza. Zimbabwe will receive the major share of this with 650 000 tons being sent to that country. Other recipients will be Botswana 100 000, Zambia 250 000, Namibia 100 000, Lesotho 95 000 and Swaziland 80 000. A further 150 000 tons is being exported to Japan. Domestic demand is estimated at 7 424 million tons, said Didiza. Maize crop estimates for South Africa are 9 834 million tons which together with a carry-over from last season of 450 000 tons and the imported 784 000 tons will meet all requirements.
