Drought-affected Zimbabwe imports more than 250 000 tonnes of maize from Mexico, to fill the shortage caused by severe drought, raging in South Africa, said the Minister of agriculture of the country on Thursday.

Joseph made said that Zimbabwe is also importing the culture of their neighbors - South Africa and Zambia, as well as from Ukraine, but did not specify the exact amounts of these imports.

The country expects delivery of 250 000 tonnes from Mexico. Other corn will be purchased in Zambia, some volumes will come from South Africa and Ukraine, said the Minister to reporters.

Caused by the El niño drought has hit southern Africa, destroying the production of basic food crops - corn.

The government of Zimbabwe previously reported that the drought has caused them to reduce the growth forecast for 2015 to 1.5% from 3.2%, and producing in 2016 is unlikely to be better.

The world food programme, the UN reported in early June that production in Zimbabwe will fall to 60% below the average for the five years between 700 000 and 1 million tonnes.

Source: Thomson Reuters