Open figure viewer
Significance
The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing threat of fall armyworm (FAW) in Southern Africa. FAW wreaks havoc in the maize (corn)-growing countries of the Americas, where it originates. It was first detected in West Africa in January 2016, and in just 13 months, armyworms have spread to at least eight countries in Southern Africa. This includes the top four maize-producing countries, precipitating a likely food security crisis.
Impacts
Food prices will increase owing to a maize shortage in the region.
Imports of maize from Brazil and the United States will raise phytosanitary risks of more invasive crop pests and diseases.
Despite FAW being genetically resistant to many chemical pesticides, imports into Africa will increase.
Keywords:
Africa,
AF,
Southern Africa,
Brazil,
Malawi,
Mozambique,
Namibia,
North America,
South Africa,
Zambia,
Zimbabwe,
economy,
industry,
politics,
social,
agriculture,
chemical,
food,
government,
regional,
aid,
family,
famine,
natural disasters
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2017
You do not currently have access to this content.
