Agribusiness

Agribusiness OVK has returned more than R320 million to farmer-shareholders in two years through a loyalty scheme, dividends and a high share price.

Mediation is a low-cost, high-value method of solving disputes and has been underutilised in SA, with complainants favouring expensive litigation instead. Advocate Alan Nelson SC spoke to Denene Erasmus about the important role that mediation can play in resolving disputes in the farming sector.

South Africa’s agriculture sector may often feel isolated in terms of the challenges it faces. However, a recent survey by the German Agricultural Society reveals that farmers in Germany, Poland, France and the UK have similar problems – and anxieties.

Apart from a new generation of winemakers and marketers that is making a name for itself, upcoming industry leaders are embarking on a fresh strategy to ensure the industry’s success. Jacques Claassen reports on these latest developments.

Breeding association Konsortium Merino recently announced a breakthrough strategy to ensure its members’ success over the next decade. This entails new forms of ownership to overcome the growing difficulties associated with smaller farms and the lack of economy of scale.

Zeder Investments recently concluded the largest transaction in its existence, boosting its investments in agriculture to more than R10 billion and proving the company’s positive outlook on the industry. Jaco Visser interviewed CEO Norman Celliers.

South Africa’s food label laws have been modified several times in recent years. Now, further far-reaching changes to food labelling legislation could be implemented by the end of the year if proposals gazetted by the Department of Health (DoH) on 29 May are passed.

With a land size of just over 78 000km², Scotland is only slightly bigger than Mpumalanga. Yet its total annual food and drink exports amount to £5,3 billion (R97 billion). Anneli Groenewald explains how branding boosted the industry, and how farmers continually seek new opportunities.

An informal trader is described in Western Cape government legislation as “any person who carries on a business as a street vendor or hawker, including an employee of such a person, and includes any person who trades in a public place”.

Five years ago, Beefmaster Feedlot near Christiana embarked on a strategy to encompass the entire value chain. Today, its operations extend from producing feed to selling its meat at retail outlets.

Thorn Park trading store began farming chickens 19 years ago after fortune walked through the door – literally. Now raising in excess of 10 000 chickens, the enterprise is proving to be the store’s proverbial golden egg. Grant Hollins visited the operation outside East London to find out more.

According to various climate change models, the average temperature in South Africa will increase by 2°C within the next 40 years and by as much as 6°C within the next 80 years.

The market for macadamias is growing. According to Martin van der Merwe of Sabie Valley Macadamias in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, the Chinese market alone has the capacity to absorb 100 000t of macadamias.

In the semi-arid region of the Kahalari, under the desert sun, the Berekisanang farming project is bustling with activity. Jaco Visser reports on this citrus and table grape farm.

The Mozambique government has committed itself to unlocking the enormous agricultural potential of the Beira corridor, but progress has been slow – and costly.

‘Don’t romanticise small-scale farming’ was the message at the recent Potatoes South Africa symposium held to discuss speeding up black economic empowerment through partnerships.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange offers the futures contract and the put option. Either can provide small-scale maize farmers with peace of mind. The JSE’s Raphael Karuaihe explains.

According to some, there is a viable alternative to Minister Gugile Nkwinti’s controversial 50:50 land reform proposal. With this option, the land holds its value and farmers can improve economies of scale. Piet Smit of the Bosveld Group and Dr Theo de Jager of Agri SA talk to Nan Smith.

After several years of weak profits, beef producers are more optimistic. Tracy Davids of the Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy explains why she is bullish on beef.

Received wisdom says that for a fresh produce market to be successful, it must be located where the buyers are and not where the producers are. But a new market in Limpopo appears to be breaking the rules – successfully.