South Africa for the first time since 2004 imported white corn from the U.S. last week, said the information Service about the grain of the country (SAGIS) on Tuesday.

White corn is the main source of calories in the country, and industry sources forecast imports of this type of grain at the level of more than a million tons in the forthcoming marketing season, from may to April of the next year after the domestic crop is ruined by drought.

In the current marketing year, which ends on 30 April, South Africa has already imported over 70,000 tons of white maize from Mexico and Zambia, according to SAGIS.

Last week was imported 1330 tons from the U.S., data showed.

Economists Grain SA, said it was the first time since 2004, when South Africa imported American white corn.

Importers probably want to check the quality of the American white corn and also to make sure that it has not been genetically modified. Most of the corn crop South Africa is a GMO, but it is different from American varieties.

If the corn will be good, imports from the U.S. may increase.

Zambia and other countries in the region also suffered from drought and therefore will not be able to export enough white corn to meet the needs of South Africa. This makes Mexico and the U.S. the main sources of the grain.

The white maize contract for July fell 1.57% on Tuesday to 4440 Rand (310,90$) per tonne, but remains within the range of historic peak 5165 Rand per tonne seen in January.

Source: Thomson Reuters