Country News

China: The General Administration of Customs reported that August corn imports at 380 KMT were 14 times greater than the same period a year ago. July’s imports were 910 KMT, the fourth highest amount on record. 

The northeastern province of Heilongjiang province where much of China’s corn is grown will offer investor subsidies and favorable tax policies to encourage a 160 percent increase in corn processing capacity. Most of the 13 MMT increase in capacity over the next three years is expected to go to ethanol production since there is already ample capacity for other products such as starch. New starch/sweetener plants should have annual capacities of 600 KMT to 1.2 MMT of production. (Reuters; Platts)

Kenya: The Agriculture Ministry said that the maize flour subsidy program would continue offering two kilos at Sh90 ($0.86) and one kilo for 47Sh ($0.46). Ongoing heavy rains have slowed harvesting from the main North Rift production area. However, the government will not extend the duty waiver on maize imports. The Parliament has had to cut other programs in order to fund the maize subsidy and to pay for a repeat presidential election on October 17. (Daily Nation) 

New Zealand: DDGS imports from the U.S. are at 113 KMT in 2016-17, triple from the level achieved last year. (Ethanol producer Magazine) 

Zimbabwe: Maize production will reach 2.1 MMT thanks to good weather plus government and donor support in supplying fertilizer. An additional 400 KMT of sorghum and millet will be produced. (NewsDay; The Chronicle)