South Africa’s Corn Exports To China Benefit Local Economy: Economists

JOHANNESBURG, May 16 (Xinhua) — The recent two large shipments of corn from South Africa to China were wonderful for the regional agricultural market and local economy, according to Corne Louw, senior economist at Grain SA, a non-profit organization representing grain producers in South Africa.

   “It’s a great breakthrough for South Africa, and it’s good for the country’s whole agricultural industry,” Louw told Xinhua in a recent interview.

   Although South Africa had long been exporting corn to China, this was the first time it had done so in significant quantities, he said.

   Two independent consignments of corn worth 55,000 tonnes and 54,000 tonnes each were recently transported from South Africa to China.

   “China is a significant market for both consumer goods and the production of animal feed. The delivery of the two consignments of corn is a positive step and a welcome development,” Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist with the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, told Xinhua on Monday.

   South Africa produces 17 million tonnes of corn or maize in a good season, Sihlobo said, adding that the business may grow as China is purchasing more South African goods.