e Port of Cape Town is set for a massive increase in dry bulk volumes due to the ongoing drought in the country.
According to port manager Sipho Nzuza an increase of at least 123% is expected for the dry bulk terminal this year.
“This is due to the expected increase in agricultural imports due to the drought effect.”
According to the Western Cape department of economic opportunities, estimates are that the national agricultural production has declined by more than 42%.
“It has been estimated that we will need to import 750 000 tons of maize because of the decline in production,” said Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, in a statement. “At the current maize price, this would result in a trade loss of R2.4 billion.”
The national department of agriculture is forecasting that should the current conditions persist, maize imports could reach five to six million tons – not only a major cost, but also placing a huge burden on the country’s logistics and transport systems.
