South Africa or will soon export Chinese yellow corn

2014-07-02 Developments

2014-07-02 09:25 |
source: China Grain Network |

the Republic of South Africa, Africa's top corn producer, may soon start exporting yellow corn to China, which will be the first time South Africa has exported such corn to China.

According to Jenny Villiers, chief executive of South African Grain Company (Grain SA), negotiations between the governments of South Africa and China have reached the final stage. He expressed the full support of the South African government. At present, the exporter has completed the pest risk analysis and submitted all documents to the Chinese government for approval.

According to a report by the South African Crop Evaluation Commission (CEC) on April 29, South Africa's yellow corn exports in 2013/14 (May to April) were 1.2 million tons, more than double the year-on-year increase. South Africa's corn exports hit a 14-year high in 2011, nearly four times higher than the previous year, as a bumper harvest prompted exporters to open up new markets, including Japan and Spain. South Africa's yellow and white maize production in 2013/14 totaled 13.9 million tons, the highest since 1981. Production in 1981 was 14.1 million tons.

Villiers added that (exports to China) have been decided, and currently they are just waiting for the governments of both sides to sign, and then they can export corn to China.

Markos Marlow, a spokeswoman for the South African Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, also said that the technical consultations between the two sides have ended, but formal signatures are still needed. (Source: Boyi Master)