There is no need for South Africans to panic buy amid concerns over food shortages in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza made the comment following reports of panic buying due to the conflict which has brought about global economic uncertainty.

The minister says she met with stakeholders in the food and agricultural industry, as well as farmers associations over the availability of food safety. It formed part of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team’s assessment of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the local economy.

Didiza noted that due to the global uncertainties, there has been a price hike on food, but South Africa has enough food supplies, especially on its staples such as grain, white and yellow maize.