SA to import more than 2 milion tons of maize

South Africa needs to import more than 2 million tons of maize in 2016/17 as a severe drought hits farm output.

Cape Town - South Africa needs to import more than 2 million tons of maize in 2016/17 as a severe drought hits farm output, although exports of certain fruits and beef have remained resilient, the National Treasury said on Wednesday.

The worst drought in a century has scorched farm lands, affecting some 2.7 million households and pushing up food prices as five provinces were declared disaster areas.

"Exports of certain fruits, nuts and beef products have remained resilient, supported by the weaker rand, global demand and market diversification," said the National Treasury in documents presented at parliament during Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's three-year budget outlook.

Reuters