Border remains open for white maize imports
Proactive measures in place to manage white maize supply
NAB has announced that despite the rainfall challenges, there is a positive outlook for white maize prices, which are anticipated to average above N$7 000 per tonne this year.
Due to an anticipated shortfall in meeting the demand of 180 000 tonnes of white maize in Namibia from local harvests, borders will remain open for the import of white maize during the 2024 marketing season.
Spokesperson of the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), Auguste Fabian, however, said to ensure that available local white maize grain is prioritised for processors, import restrictions have been implemented as of 1 May, until such time as all local white maize produce is taken up or sold to millers and silos.
According to Fabian, NAB projected a total harvest of 323 294 tonnes of white maize, excluding the Zambezi Region, for the 2024 marketing season.
This harvest is expected to be marketed to registered millers and silos across the country.
“Despite the rainfall challenges, there is a positive outlook for white maize prices, which are anticipated to average above N$7 000 per tonne this year, which is a significant increase from the average price of N$5 704 per tonne recorded in the previous season, largely influenced by the high price of maize in South Africa.”
Fabian said millers will receive allocations of the expected harvest based on their historical average grain demand from the closed border season of the 2023 marketing season. “Hence, they will be required to take up their allocation before being permitted to import additional grain.”
In anticipation of early harvests from irrigated local production, the NAB has put in place measures to accommodate producers who intend to sell or deliver maize before the official start of the 2024 marketing season.
Support provided
Producers have the option to sell white maize grain to a miller at the SAFEX actual road import parity price for genetically modified organism GMO-free grain applicable on the date of sale or agree to receive payment after 1 May when the applicable floor price comes into effect.
Fabian added that NAB will take proactive measures to manage the white maize supply during the 2024 marketing season, thereby ensuring that local producers and millers are supported while maintaining a stable market.
Spokesperson of the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), Auguste Fabian, however, said to ensure that available local white maize grain is prioritised for processors, import restrictions have been implemented as of 1 May, until such time as all local white maize produce is taken up or sold to millers and silos.
According to Fabian, NAB projected a total harvest of 323 294 tonnes of white maize, excluding the Zambezi Region, for the 2024 marketing season.
This harvest is expected to be marketed to registered millers and silos across the country.
“Despite the rainfall challenges, there is a positive outlook for white maize prices, which are anticipated to average above N$7 000 per tonne this year, which is a significant increase from the average price of N$5 704 per tonne recorded in the previous season, largely influenced by the high price of maize in South Africa.”
Fabian said millers will receive allocations of the expected harvest based on their historical average grain demand from the closed border season of the 2023 marketing season. “Hence, they will be required to take up their allocation before being permitted to import additional grain.”
In anticipation of early harvests from irrigated local production, the NAB has put in place measures to accommodate producers who intend to sell or deliver maize before the official start of the 2024 marketing season.
Support provided
Producers have the option to sell white maize grain to a miller at the SAFEX actual road import parity price for genetically modified organism GMO-free grain applicable on the date of sale or agree to receive payment after 1 May when the applicable floor price comes into effect.
Fabian added that NAB will take proactive measures to manage the white maize supply during the 2024 marketing season, thereby ensuring that local producers and millers are supported while maintaining a stable market.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article