Business
South Africa Faces Maize Export Bans from Neighbours Amid Crop Disease Concerns
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South Africa’s maize industry is facing a potential crisis after neighbouring Botswana and Namibia imposed sudden import bans, citing concerns over crop diseases Goss wilt in maize and Gut rot in palm products. The bans jeopardize regional food security and put at risk a continental agricultural market worth $13.2 billion (R250bn).
The Impact of the Maize Ban
Both Botswana and Namibia halted maize imports this month, despite South African scientists still investigating the real risks posed by these bacterial diseases. The bans impact:
155,882 tons of white maize for the 2024/25 season
46,969 tons of yellow maize for the 2024/25 season
Namibia’s decision, which took effect last Friday, is particularly concerning as the country is South Africa’s second-largest white maize importer after Zimbabwe. With its own maize production under threat from extreme weather, alternative import options remain limited.
Is There a Real Food Safety Threat?
South African experts insist the bans are not based on solid scientific evidence.
AgriSA chief economist, Wandile Sihlobo, criticized the decision, stating that research shows the bacteria only affect maize seeds for planting, not maize used for feed or human consumption.
FNB senior agricultural economist, Paul Makube, said the outbreak appears limited, contained, and under control.
Grain SA economist, Marguerite Pienaar, warned that very few countries produce white maize at scale—only South Africa, Mexico, and the US (on contract basis)—which could leave Namibia struggling if its own crop fails.
Also read : South Africa Faces Rising Maize Prices Amid Tight Supplies and Drought Impact
South Africa’s Response & Next Steps
The Department of Agriculture confirmed that Minister John Steenhuisen is in talks with Botswana and Namibia to reverse the bans. Meanwhile, the government has launched official monitoring and a demarcation survey for 2024/25 to track the spread of the disease.
While South Africa exported 548,869 tons of maize to Botswana and Namibia in the 2023/24 season, both countries have already imported 426,473 tons for 2024/25, accounting for 25% of South Africa’s total maize exports so far.
What’s Next for the Maize Market?
With no immediate threat to food security, agricultural experts hope that scientific evidence will convince Botswana and Namibia to lift the bans. However, the incident raises bigger questions about regional cooperation under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and how trade disputes over agricultural products are handled.
What do you think? Should South Africa’s neighbours lift the maize import bans?
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