WANDILE SIHLOBO: Port damage will hinder Mozambique grain imports
Amid continuing efforts to find survivors after Cyclone Idai, one of the key concerns in the next days will be food insecurity due to damaged crop fields
The situation in Mozambique is devastating. Tropical Cyclone Idai, which hit the coastline of Mozambique on March 14, has caused a heavy loss of lives and affected more than 600,000 people, according to some estimates. The number will most likely rise after on-ground assessments. Amid continuing efforts to find survivors, one of the key concerns in the next days will be food insecurity due to damage to crop fields and port infrastructure. Mozambique is generally a net importer of major grains such as maize, wheat and rice. In a normal season, the country imports about 100,000 tons of maize, 700,000 tons of rice, and 680,000 tons of wheat to fulfil its domestic needs. Maize imports are largely transported on land as these are mainly from South Africa and Zambia. Meanwhile, wheat and rice imports originate from Europe, and Asia through Beira port, which has been hit by the cyclone. In the case of rice, the key suppliers include Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China. Aside from Pakist...
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