Here is Sihlobo…

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He says Zimbabwe has for years maintained a ban on the importation or growing of genetically modified (GM) maize. While the policy disadvantaged farmers, who couldn’t produce higher yields from GM seeds as neighbouring South Africa, it also provided protection through phytosanitary barriers that protected the country’s non-GM maize producers. The policy also disadvantaged consumers who were compelled to purchase higher-priced maize and its products, which would have been relatively cheaper if the country produced higher volumes from GM seed.

The import policy has, however, changed recently with  Zimbabwe deciding to lift the ban on GM maize imports as the country seeks to improve local supplies following yet another poor harvest season. Zimbabwe’s maize production fell by 53% y/y in 2018/19 production season to 800 000 tonnes, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture. This was far below the country’s annual maize consumption of between 1.8 and 2.0 million tonnes. Therefore, the country had to import at least a million tonnes of maize in order to meet the local supply requirements.

Observing from reports of food shortages at the beginning of the year, the belief is that the country was unable to import the required maize volume for the 2019/20 marketing year (this corresponds with the 2018/19 production season).

Zimbabwe has imported 100 000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania in 2019, and 79 283 tonnes from South Africa between May 2019 and January 2020, according to data from SAGIS. This supports Agbizi's belief that the country has thus far imported less than required maize quantities to meet consumption requirements, says Sihlobo.

That was Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, Agbiz.

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