Maize deficit

Southern Africa faces a maize deficit/import requirement of up to 2.18 million mt, Reuters reported on Thursday. Maize output in the region’s 1998/99 cropping season is estimated to have declined by four percent to 15.14 mt due to incessant rains and subsequent long dry spells, the Harare-based SADC Regional Early Warning Unit said. South Africa was one of the few countries in the region expected to produce surpluses and was seen capable of exporting 797,000 mt maize, the unit said, but: “The low level of available exportable surplus from South Africa implies that member states will have to rely on maize imports from outside the region.’”