December 3, 2024

South Africa approves import permits for genetically engineered US corn

South Africa has announced it will issue import permits for genetically engineered (GE) white and yellow corn from the US following a 22% drop in local production caused by a mid-summer drought.

South Africa's Department of Agriculture informed stakeholders that it had resolved all GE corn events that caused asynchrony with the US. This resolution allows the issuance of import permits, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service.

The report projects that South Africa could import approximately 800,000 tonnes of corn during the marketing year running from May 2024 to April 2025. The decision comes as South Africa recorded its smallest corn crop in five years in 2024.

According to a report from South Africa's Crop Estimates Committee released last month, farmers are expected to allocate only a slightly increased area to corn planting for the next season. However, the potential arrival of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which typically brings above-average rainfall to South Africa and its neighbouring countries, could improve harvest conditions in 2025.

The Crop Estimates Committee is set to publish its final estimates for the 2023/24 summer crops, including corn. This data will provide further clarity on the extent of the production shortfall and the country's reliance on imports.

-      Engineering News