Johannesburg - White maize in South Africa rose to the highest level in almost a month as the rand fell, making imports more expensive. Wheat also advanced.
White maize for delivery in December increased 1 percent to 1,759 rand a metric ton, the highest settlement for a most-active contract since August 12, by the midday close on the South African Futures Exchange in Johannesburg.
The yellow variety rose for a fourth straight session, adding 1.1 percent to 1,810 rand a ton.
The rand weakened 0.4 percent, to 10.9653 to the dollar, as of 2:09 p.m. in Johannesburg.
South Africa is the continent’s largest producer of maize.
The white grain is used to make a staple food known locally as pap, while yellow maize is mainly fed to animals.
Wheat for delivery in December was up 0.6 percent to 3,680 rand a ton, rising to the highest level since June 20. - Bloomberg News