Country News
India: A tender for 320 KMT of non-GMO corn imports is unlikely to generate many offers given the stipulation that cargoes can be rejected during offloading. (WPI)
Indonesia: Djarot Kusumayakti, CEO of Indonesia’s state procurement agency Bulog, says corn imports will total 600 KMT in the first quarter of 2016. Corn imports had been halted in July 2015 when the government tried to boost self-sufficiency. Bulog will handle all of the country’s planned 2.4 MMT of corn imports in 2016 through a new business model that is being developed. (Jakarta Globe)
Kenya: The country’s National Biosafety Authority recommended on 5 January that the country remove its ban on imports of GMOs. Kenya is Africa’s largest per capita consumer of corn and second largest seed market, and the government is reviewing import permits for GM corn and cotton. (Bloomberg)
Russia: Barley exports in November 2015 were 417 KMT, down 15 percent from the same period a year ago as this year’s crop is off 24 percent. (WPI)
South Africa: The effects of the drought will force South Africa to import nearly half (5 MMT) of its corn consumption (10.5 MMT) this year, likely starting in May. White corn delivered July hit $270.82/MT. (Bloomberg)
Zimbabwe: Corn stocks are dangerously low at just two months of consumption (lower in some parts of the country) as the government disputes that imports are being impeded and some farmers are reportedly selling their government-supplied seed at higher valued food prices, thus skipping the hassle of production. (WPI)