Bizcommunity Agriculture

25/07/2024

Headline inflation decelerated to a 2024 low of 5.1% year-on-year in June, with monthly inflation slowing to 0.1% month-on-month. Food inflation reached 4.1% year-on-year, the lowest since February 2020, with increases in "bread and cereals," meat, and "milk, eggs, and cheese" categories.

Headline inflation decelerated to a 2024 low of 5.1% year-on-year in June, with monthly inflation slowing to 0.1% month-on-month. Food inflation reached 4.1% year-on-year, the lowest since February 2020, with increases in 'bread and cereals,' meat, and 'milk, eggs, and cheese' categories...

23/07/2024

A recent Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey reveals that more than two-thirds of South African agribusinesses adopted innovative practices between 2019 and 2021, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A recent Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey reveals that more than two-thirds of South African agribusinesses adopted innovative practices between 2019 and 2021, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic...

22/07/2024

The University of the Free State (UFS), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) have established four new research chairs within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) to address climate change challenges in Southern Africa.

The University of the Free State, Agricultural Research Council, and Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development have established four new research chairs within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to address climate change challenges in Southern Africa...

22/07/2024

The Department of Agriculture is collaborating with stakeholders and local authorities, including the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, to manage and contain the FMD outbreak. Efforts are also underway to prevent the disease from spreading to the Western Cape, with ongoing discussions with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

'The ongoing FMD outbreak in the Eastern Cape poses major risks to local production and trade...

17/07/2024

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) in his first budget vote speech at the National Assembly, emphasising its role in fostering inclusive growth in South Africa's agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) in his debut budget vote speech at the National Assembly, emphasising its role in fostering inclusive growth in South Africa's agricultural sector...

17/07/2024

Nedbank recently teamed up with PALS - Partners in Agri Land Solutions to host a Responsible Leadership Symposium in White River, Mpumalanga. The event aimed to unite farmers and encourage their involvement in addressing South Africa’s land reform issues and other pressing challenges.

Nedbank partnered with PALS to host a Responsible Leadership Symposium in White River, Mpumalanga, with Stellenbosch University Business School. The event aimed to unite farmers to tackle South Africa’s land reform and other critical challenges...

12/07/2024

The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) has formed Team South Africa, comprising the country's top sommeliers. Their mission is to represent South Africa in global wine competitions.

The South African Sommeliers Association has formed Team South Africa, comprising the country's top sommeliers. Their mission is to represent South Africa in global wine competitions...

11/07/2024

Entries are now open for the Great Wine Capitals 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards, organised by Wesgro.

Entries are now open for the prestigious Great Wine Capitals 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards, hosted by Wesgro.

10/07/2024

Oelof Weideman, head of insights and business advisory at Vinimark - The Wine Company delves into the latest trends within the South African wine market, capturing the shifts and changes that occurred throughout 2023.

In this review, Oelof Weideman, head of insights and business advisory at Vinimark delves into the latest trends within the South African wine market, capturing the shifts and changes that occurred throughout 2023...

10/07/2024

The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) has launched a free training module to assist small-scale poultry farmers in building low-cost, effective chicken shelters, aimed at improving farming methods and incomes for Africa’s small-scale poultry farmers.

The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) has launched a free training module to help small-scale African poultry farmers build low-cost, effective chicken shelters and improve their farming methods and incomes.

27/06/2024

Poultry producer Rainbow Chicken began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange today, Wednesday, 26 June, following its unbundling from RCL Foods.

Poultry producer Rainbow Chicken began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange today, Wednesday, 26 June, following its unbundling from RCL Foods...

27/06/2024

South Africa has requested the formation of two panels at the WTO's DSB this week to challenge the EU's import restrictions on South African citrus, arguing that the measures are unscientific and discriminatory.

South Africa has requested the establishment of two panels at a WTO Dispute Settlement Body meeting to examine what it views as unscientific and discriminatory measures on South African citrus imports by the European Union...

25/06/2024

The Agriculture newsletter is out! Watchdog finds fresh produce price issue | Agribusiness confidence hits 15-year low | Higher coffee prices fuel local inflation and more: https://www.bizcommunity.com/WeeklyNewsletter/196/358/20240625.html

25/06/2024

Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at Agbiz, reports that the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell to 38 points in Q2 2024 from 40 in the previous quarter. This is the lowest level since Q3 2009, reflecting continued pessimism among agribusinesses about the country's business conditions.

The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) remained depressed in Q2 2024, reaching 38 points from 40 in the previous quarter. This is the lowest level since Q3 2009...

25/06/2024

In honour of , we spotlight Abbey Pretorius, one of the 30 young professionals recognised by WineLand Media and Rotocon for their contributions to the South African wine industry.

In honour of , we spotlight Abbey Pretorius, one of the 30 young professionals recognised by WineLand Media and Rotocon for their contributions to the South African wine industry...

25/06/2024

South Africa's competition watchdog has identified entry barriers, distorted competition, and price mark-ups in the fresh produce market, according to a provisional report released in June, following an inquiry.

South Africa's competition watchdog has identified entry barriers, distorted competition, and price mark-ups in the fresh produce market, according to a provisional report released on Tuesday, 18 June, following an inquiry...

18/06/2024

The KZN Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, has officially opened entries for the KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year competition. The winner will represent the province at the national 2024 Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year Awards later this year.

The KZN Agricultural Union, Kwanulu, has officially opened entries for the KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year competition, which celebrates and recognises the efforts and achievements of farmers under the age of 40...

03/05/2024

Sauvignon Blanc defies its 'wild white' reputation, appealing to beginner and expert wine enthusiasts with its diverse flavours. Celebrating International Sauvignon Blanc Day, South African producers share insights on this versatile grape. | Sauvignon Blanc South Africa

Sauvignon Blanc defies its 'wild white' reputation, appealing to both beginner and expert wine enthusiasts with its diverse flavours...

02/05/2024

Beth Bechdol, deputy director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), stresses the need for early action to shield communities from worsening El Niño and La Niña events. She highlights that proactive measures can save lives and protect livelihoods by preventing damage to essential resources and infrastructure.

The El Niño event in 2015-2016 – one of the strongest on record – affected over 60 million people worldwide, resulting in 23 countries appealing for international humanitarian assistance worth over $5bn...

02/02/2024

The South African wine and brandy sector remains a fundamental pillar in the country's economic framework, demonstrating significant impacts on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, tourism, and overall economic resilience. The integral role of wine tourism has become increasingly essential for the industry's sustained viability, says Rico Basson, CEO of South Africa Wine .

The South African wine and brandy sector remains a fundamental pillar in the country's economic framework, demonstrating significant impacts on Gross Domestic Product, employment, tourism, and overall economic resilience... .

01/02/2024

SA Canegrowers has announced that, with the disbursement of transformation funding this month, the sugar industry has met its objective of investing more than R1bn in transformation funding over five years.

SA Canegrowers has announced that, with the disbursement of transformation funding this month, the sugar industry has met its objective of investing more than R1bn in transformation funding over five years...

01/02/2024

Astral Foods foresees a profitable turnaround in the half-year to 31 March, attributing it to the easing impact of South Africa's bird flu and power issues. The poultry producer expects a 300% surge in Headline Earnings Per Share (HEPS), reaching at least R654 from R163 in the same period last year, as stated in its Wednesday trading update.

Astral Foods foresees a profitable turnaround in the half-year to 31 March, attributing it to the easing impact of South Africa's bird flu and power issues...

26/05/2023

The South African Reserve Bank announced another 50-basis points interest rate hike thus bringing the repurchase rate to over a decade high of 8.25%. The prime rate thus moved higher by 0.50% effective from 26 May 2023.

For farmers, mounting debt servicing costs means profit margins will thin out further and slow expansion plans.

The South African Reserve Bank announced another 50-basis points interest rate hike thus bringing the repurchase rate to over a decade high of 8.25%. The prime rate thus moved higher by 0.50% effective from 26 May 2023...

25/05/2023

We chat with Nic van Schalkwyk, director, Restore Africa Funds as he discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture and how Restore Africa Funds is working to make a difference. He also shares his insights on the future of the industry and what it will take to achieve widespread adoption.

We chat with Nic van Schalkwyk, director, Restore Africa Funds as he discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture and how Restore Africa Funds is working to make a difference...

23/05/2023

During a panel discussion on financing models in the agricultural industry at , John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank, emphasised the need for traditional financing to evolve in order to adapt to the changing opportunities and market dynamics in the agricultural landscape.

During a panel discussion on financing models in the agricultural industry at Nampo 2023, John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank, emphasised the need for traditional financing to evolve in order to adapt to the changing opportunities and market dynamics in the agricultural landscape...

23/01/2023

: Wandile Sihlobo, head of agribusiness research at the Agbiz (Agricultural Business Chamber), shares what he believes will be a part of agricultural sector discussions in 2023, especially in the first half of the year.

Wandile Sihlobo, head of agribusiness research at the Agriculture Business Chamber, shares what he believes will be a part of agricultural sector discussions in 2023, especially in the first half of the year...

28/11/2022

A number of persistent myths about farmland statistics and the structure of commercial agriculture skew debates. This makes it difficult to reach some common understanding about the realities of land and agriculture in the country.

Based on official statistics, we conclude that the country has made more progress towards land reform than is generally suggested...

25/11/2022

Facing unprecedented levels of global uncertainty with a muted growth outlook, amid elevated inflation, and accelerated policy normalization, the South African Reserve Bank continued its tightening cycle this time with 75 basis points on Thursday, 24 November 2022.

The overall impact is for margin compression in the agriculture sector with industries such as citrus and livestock severely affected...

23/11/2022

Crop nutrients manufacturer Omnia believes fertiliser prices will remain high as supply chain disruptions persist, CEO Seelan Gobalsamy said on Tuesday, 22 November, raising food security concerns for Africa's smallholder farmers.

Crop nutrients manufacturer Omnia believes fertiliser prices will remain high as supply chain disruptions persist, CEO Seelan Gobalsamy said on Tuesday, 22 November, raising food security concerns for Africa's smallholder farmers...

22/11/2022

The world's top two cocoa producers set a 20 November deadline this month for cocoa buyers, including major chocolate companies, to account for a "living income differential" of $400 per tonne of cocoa.

The world's top two cocoa producers set a 20 November deadline this month for cocoa buyers, including major chocolate companies, to account for a 'living income differential' of $400 per tonne of cocoa...