March 27, 2007

South Africa imports corn as drought hits crops
 

South Africa, generally a net exporter of corn, has started to import the staple grain as the worst drought in 15 years had devastated crops, Business Report reported, citing Grain SA General Manager John Purchase.

Purchase commented that the shortage of corn would drive up all food containing the grain as well as the cost of feeding poultry and cattle. The knock-on effects were difficult to quantify and he was unable to say how much corn South Africa would need to import, the newspaper said.

Crop estimates have not been released or the extent of the drought quantified.