SA running short of maize meal

The Agriculture Marketing Council warns that there could be a shortage of maize products this year. The council says the outlook for maize for the next three months doesn't look good.

The council says stock levels for both white and yellow maize are running dangerously low with very little or no pipeline storage left. The marketing council advices consumers to alternate maize meal with other basic foods products like rice, bread or potatoes. This is until the new season's harvest commences.

Spokesperson Simphiwe Ngqangweni says it tends to happen when maize prices increases consumers look at other cheaper alternatives for their diet. "The higher maize prices that we are seeing translate into higher maize meal prices in the next three months. What is also happening is that there we are finding ourselves under pressure in terms maize stocks. Maize stocks are at record lows."