Corn situation and prospect in South Africa in 2001 / 02

Introduction: South Africa's corn production in 2001 is expected to be 8.95 million tons According to an agricultural Counsellor's report released Tuesday by the U.S Department of agriculture's Overseas Agricultural Bureau, South Africa's corn production in 2001 is expected to reach 8.95 million tons, up nearly 20% from 7.5 million tons in 2000 In 2000, the marketing of crops will continue until the end of April, and the inventory will be very tight This is mainly due to the shortage of food in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia Therefore, the demand for white corn is strong In addition, South Africa routinely exports corn to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland These four countries belong to the BLNS alliance countries and are also the Customs Union partners in South Africa The tight supply of yellow corn is caused by Japan's demand for non GM corn The export of 2001 / 02 market is expected to reach 1.3 million tons, including 800000 tons of white corn and 500000 tons of yellow corn The reason why yellow corn and white jade rice are separated is that the demand for white jade rice is very strong Due to the shortage of supply and domestic transportation costs, the price bureau is high, so corn stocks are currently being imported to coastal areas Seasonal corn imports are expected to reach 400000 tons, including 300000 tons of yellow corn imported from Brazil and Argentina, because these two countries can meet the requirements of South Africa for genetically modified corn labeling, and 100000 tons of white corn imported from the United States, of which the content of genetically modified corn must be less than 1% Despite the increase in corn production in South Africa in 2002 / 03, regional famine is still expected, so South Africa is unable to meet all the needs of its neighbours The supply surplus of white jade rice is only enough to meet the normal demand of blns countries Although the assessment data of food shortage in neighboring countries are different, it may exceed 1 million tons.