Despite Covid-19 there will be sufficient food supply
There will be over 2.5 million tonnes of maize (white and yellow maize combined) for exports in the period between May 2020 and April 2021.
This year’s grain harvest will provide sufficient staple grains supply for 2020/21 beginning now in May and running up to April 2021.
This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza.
The data released by the department shows that this year’s summer grains harvest could amount to 17.5 million tonnes, which is a 31% increase from 2019 and the second biggest harvest in the history of this country.
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“This is a testimony to the hard work and resilience of the South African farming community and investments made in the sector,” said Didiza.
Amid the unprecedented uncertainty and our collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we are assured of sufficient food supply for the country at reasonable price levels.
South Africa’s agriculture will also continue to export agricultural commodities and products, which are crucial in generating much needed foreign exchange.
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“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 the food supplies for the country,” she said.
