May 30, 2007

 

South Africa imports 1,475 tonnes of white corn

 

 

South Africa imported 1,475 tonnes of white corn last week, making the shipment the first in a number of years, the South African Grain Information Services (SAGIS) said Tuesday (May 29).

 

Late last year, South Africa was set to produce at least 10 million tonnes of corn but damaging dry conditions early this year reduced crops to about 7 million tonnes, according to the latest crop estimates.

 

Agricultural analysts, however, said that with two million in carry-over stocks and a potential crop harvest of about 6.5 million this season, there was no reason to import white corn.

 

The imports come from Malawi and Zambia, which is set for a bumper harvest after good rains.

 

SAGIS said that Argentine yellow corn imports since the end of April rose by 17,795 tonnes last week to 111,758 tonnes.

 

Last season the country imported a total of 915,142 tonnes of yellow corn.

 

Total corn exports rose by 5,951 tonnes to 19,763 tonnes.

 

SAGIS in its weekly report said that wheat exports since October last year rose by 38,066 tonnes to 348,456 tonnes last week.

 

Exports rose by 2,861 tonnes to 145,096 tonnes.