The members of the Grain Handling Organisation of Southern Africa (GOSA) effectively handled 17,5 million tons of grain – produced locally and imported – during the past season.
Ms Annatjie Loio, retiring president of GOSA, referred to this at the organisation’s 36th annual general meeting at Club Mykonos in Langebaan on 19 March and wished the organisation’s members every success for the coming season. An estimated total of 13 million tons of grain will be received, financed, stored, transported, fumigated and processed in the current season.
‘According to the latest crop estimate, approximately 2,3 million hectares of maize were planted, which could provide a potential crop of 10,5 million tons of maize. Given the 10,5 million ton crop, plus carryover stock of approximately 3 million tons, South Africa should have sufficient maize for the season ahead,’ she said.
According to Loio, Nigeria will harvest approximately 11 million tons of maize in the coming season, which will be 500 000 tons more than South Africa, making that country the top producer of maize in sub-Saharan Africa for the season. Malawi’s maize crop is expected to amount to 3,4 million tons. Zimbabwe appears to have enough maize for local consumption, which is to their advantage, as the USA will probably extend their sanctions against this country for another year.
During the current season, South Africa exported white and yellow maize to Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Namibia. Yellow maize was also exported to Ghana and white maize to Ethiopia. Deep-sea exports included white maize exported to Italy and Spain, and yellow maize to countries like Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. Maize exports for the current season to Africa and overseas amount to roughly 2 million tons.
Because of competitive prices during the second part of 2018, yellow maize was imported from South America through Cape Town harbour. It is estimated that approximately 170 000 metric tons of yellow maize will be imported through the Cape Town harbour until the end of April 2019.
South Africa is a net importer of wheat. In addition to the local production, wheat was imported from Canada, America, Argentina, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Latvia.
36th symposium
GOSA’s 36th annual symposium was held at Club Mykonos in Langebaan on 19 and 20 March. Various relevant speakers addressed the prevailing economic and political landscape, as well as digital transformation for food security, the top digital trends in agriculture, and South Africa as role player in a water- and capital-scarce economy.
The symposium followed on a successful GOSA workshop held at NAMPO Park in October 2018, which was attended by 100 delegates. GOSA Cape held four meetings this year, as well as an informative workshop on 30 June 2018, which was attended by 63 delegates. Members of GOSA Cape also attended refresher courses in winter cereals and fumigation during the past season.
Discussions with Agbiz Grain
Members of GOSA and Agbiz Grain held discussions on possible cooperation in certain fields. Prof Johan Willemse is acting as the facilitator and the discussions will be continued in the near future.
End of an era
After an uninterrupted term of office of 16 years as president of GOSA, Loio stepped down during the annual general meeting. ‘Thank you to all the board members of GOSA who loyally supported me over the past 16 years. It is wonderful to be a part of the agricultural family,’ Loio said.
The Board thanked Loio for her dedicated service to the organisation, and particularly mentioned her firm leadership and her excellent example as role player in the grain value chain.
A new president will be appointed at the first board meeting.
Enquiries: Hein Rehr, board member of GOSA
Cell: 082 451 1569
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Media enquiries: Johan Smit, Infoworks
Tel.: 018 468 2716
Cell: 082 553 7806
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