Grain and citrus exports boom despite Covid-19
South Africa had the second-biggest summer grain harvest in their history this year, increasing by 31 per cent from last year.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has assured South Africans that there is a sufficient staple of grain for local food supply and exports during the 2020/2021 marketing year.
South Africa had the second-biggest summer grain harvest in their history this year, increasing by 31 per cent from last year. According to the department, there will be more than 2.5 million tonnes of maize for exports between May this year and April next year, with the total harvest estimates coming in at 17.5 million tonnes.
The country will continue to export agricultural commodities and products to generate crucial foreign exchange.
[Media Statement] Minister announces that South Africa will have sufficient grain supply in the year 2020/21.@DRDLR_online@GCISMedia @SAgovnews #COVID__19 #level4lockdown #StayAtHomeSA pic.twitter.com/g89KWs2DdV
— Department of Agriculture, Land Ref and Rural Dev. (@DALRRDgov_ZA) May 1, 2020
Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza said, “We are committed to support export-led growth and will continue working with the private sector in unblocking bottlenecks to support further space for enterprise development and growth… We do this while continuously monitoring food supplies for the country.”
The department also announced its first break-bulk vessel shipment of citrus this year on 1 May, departing for China and Japan.
Loading of 4 521 tons of grapefruit and lemons destined for Japan and China. @DRDLR_online @GCISMedia @SAgovnews #Covid19SA #level4lockdown #StayAtHomeAndStaySafe pic.twitter.com/R0fsrMBDWz
— Department of Agriculture, Land Ref and Rural Dev. (@DALRRDgov_ZA) April 30, 2020
This follows a historical year last year for the local citrus industry when it marked its maiden break-bulk shipment of citrus through a specialised reefer vessel to Japan and China.
This is South Africa’s fifth break-bulk vessel shipment.
The department said, “The Baltic Patriot Vessel will leave South Africa with 4 521 tons of grapefruit and lemons destined for Japanese and Chinese export markets. The expected date of arrival in Japan is 18 May 2020 while for China it is 26 May 2020.”
The fruit harvesting, sorting, washing, transportation, inspection, loading and other related aspects were conducted by essential workers during lockdown. The department extended its thanks to these workers for their tireless efforts to work in pursuit of local and global food security.
A new dawn, a new citrus harvest exports to China and Japan.👏👏👏👏 ….then there was light. pic.twitter.com/W4gmoWPkJf
— Thozamile_Mvumvu _Tshabalala (@MT_150) May 1, 2020
“The citrus industry continues to be one of the critical industries that creates 160 000 direct jobs and earns approximately R20 billion from exports only. South Africa exports two million tons of citrus annually, making it the second-highest global exporter of citrus,” the department said.
The department has committed to continue engaging with trading partners to ensure that, where possible, export programmes continue unabated. The department called upon all workers in the agriculture industry and food value chain to continue to observe Covid-19 hygiene and social distancing measures as they work to grow the country’s economy and feed people locally and internationally.
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