South Africa imports 1.96 million tonnes of maize in 2015/16 season

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa imported 1.96 million tonnes of maize during the 2015/16 marketing season which ended April 30, compared with just 65,000 tonnes in the previous season, data released by the Grain Information Service (SAGIS) on Wednesday showed. Africa's biggest producer of the staple grain is generally a net maize exporter of maize but the crop has been scorched by drought in the past two seasons, triggering shortages. During the past marketing year, South Africa exported 683,000 tonnes of maize compared with about 1.95 million tonnes during the previous season. Grain SA, an industry group, estimates South Africa will need to import at least 3.8 million tonnes this marketing season, which began on May 1. Concerns about looming shortages have driven food prices and inflation higher, heaping misery on lower-income households and adding to the political difficulties of the ruling African National Congress party ahead of local elections in August, when it is expected to face a stern test. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by James Macharia)