South Africa

An 11th-hour deal has brought the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett to an end, just as the matter was due to be heard in the Durban High Court in KwaZulu-Natal.

At a Department of Agriculture Youth Day round-table held at the Agricultural Research Council’s Nietvoorbij campus in Stellenbosch on 17 June, young farmers called for urgent, practical reforms to improve access to finance, land, and markets, warning that inaction is eroding confidence in the sector.

The Port of Cape Town has once again come under scrutiny after being ranked last out of 400 ports in the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence's Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025.

The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) declined by four points to 45 in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting growing concern among agribusinesses over disease outbreaks, geopolitical tensions, rising input costs and weakening commodity prices.

Grain SA has sharply criticised government's decision to leave South Africa's wheat tariff framework unchanged, warning that the move threatens the long-term sustainability of local wheat production and could undermine national food security.

Biosecurity concerns linked to South Africa's ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak resulted in the closure of 15 farm-based voter registration stations in the Free State over the weekend, highlighting the disease's growing impact beyond agriculture.

The Western Cape faces a long road to recovery following multiple storm systems and flooding that hit the province during May, says Premier Alan Winde.

Farmers’ organisations have responded strongly to reports that Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen may be removed from his position as part of a DA Cabinet reshuffle, while senior Department of Agriculture officials say critical programmes will continue despite the political uncertainty.

As the value of South Africa's biogas industry is increasingly recognised, the industry is expanding, with stakeholders being urged to prioritise regulatory compliance and safety to protect workers, build public confidence, and support long-term growth.

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated R63,9 million towards strengthening the province's response to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as part of a R742,5 million budget aimed at improving food security, supporting farmer development, and stimulating economic growth through agriculture.

South Africa’s growing biogas industry should prioritise both feedstock quantity and quality if projects are to remain viable and deliver long-term returns, says Banda Kondwani, project development manager at Bio2Watt Energy Holdings.

Sasol, through its Bridge to Work programme, hosted a farmers’ day in Mpumalanga on 11 June, bringing together emerging producers, industry stakeholders, and government representatives to support the development of sustainable farming enterprises.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has bolstered its capacity to serve farmers and combat foot-and-mouth disease in the province with the handover of 40 new government vehicles for veterinary and extension services.

South Africa could generate economic output equivalent to 4,4% of GDP if the 35 million tons of organic waste generated in the country every year were used to generate biogas.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s future in the portfolio is uncertain following reports that Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has proposed changes to the party’s Cabinet representation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a sustained effort to tackle youth unemployment, saying government, business, and civil society must work together to create opportunities for young South Africans, including those living in rural communities.

At the 2026 Youth in Agriculture Summit, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on 11 June, young farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs were presented with opportunities including funding, equipment support, land access, and business development.

South Africa's agricultural machinery market may be entering a new phase after more than a year of strong performance, with the latest sales figures suggesting a possible moderation in equipment demand during the second half of 2026.

While the carbon credits market presents opportunities for producers to not only earn additional income but also fund the practices that will boost their farms’ resilience, it has been slow in delivering promised returns. However, farmers are moving one step closer to boosting regenerative agriculture efforts.

Elgin pome fruit producer Richard Hutton-Squire was named the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year 2026 at a gala event in Paarl on Wednesday, with judges recognising his focus on strong farming fundamentals and sustained production growth.