Here’s to a brighter future for brandy
South African brandy sales decreased from a high of 45 million litres in 1999 to 31 million litres last year. Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the SA Brandy Foundation, spoke to Denene Erasmus about the value of brandy to the wine industry and plans to regain some of the spirit’s market share.
Game exports after FMD
The local game industry was hit hard by the EU’s ban on meat exports, lifted early last year. Now, SA exporters are struggling to regain lost revenue and re-establish markets. Gerhard Uys reports.
Hydro-electricity: all the power, half the cost
With South Africa’s national power supply becoming increasingly unreliable, fruit farmer
Kobus van der Westhuizen decided to install a hydro-electric plant on his Western Cape farm.
This has greatly reduced his dependence on the grid.
The ripple effect of SA’s maize crop shock
South Africa’s maize crop, the smallest in eight years, will probably fuel inflation in the months to come as the price of maize increases. Jaco Visser spoke to economists as well as an agribusiness about the outlook for food prices, inflation and interest rates.
New dairy export era as EU quotas end
The phasing out of the EU quota system and rising global demand for milk offer export opportunities for the Netherlands. Despite differences in demographics and production circumstances, this country has valuable lessons for SA.
Crocodile farming gains momentum
South Africa is seeing renewed interest in crocodile farming, with skins fetching attractive prices. There is a growing international demand for the product, and SA may be at an advantage.
Poultry producers’ recovery
South Africa’s poultry companies have had a rally in their share prices over the past year as a slump in the maize price boosted confidence in higher profits. Jaco Visser spoke to company officials on the outlook for the poultry industry in South Africa.
How mentoring should work
Cois Harman’s assistance to developing farmer GK Gasekoma is a case study in mentoring. His procedure should be compulsory in any project involving taxpayers’ money.
Food processors a mixed bag
Last year, SA’s major diversified food-processing companies produced a mixed bag of results. Most grew their sales, but struggling consumers meant that profits lagged. Despite this, investors continued to buy shares. Jaco Visser spoke with company officials and studied the figures.
Land reform success for Western Cape fruit farmer
After having built up a successful fruit trading enterprise, Joseph Hendricks began farming apples and pears on land that was in desperate need of attention. Today his farming company, Kaapschön, is regarded as one of the best-performing land reform projects in the Western Cape.
Strong work ethic and passion for farming pays off
Maize and sunflower producer from Senekal, John Dipale, ascribes his success to hard work and passion for agriculture. At 64, John works even harder than the young men on his farm, he tells Annelie Coleman.
Indian investor smitten by South African winelands
Why has a wealthy Indian businessman become enamoured of SA’s wine industry? Analjit Singh told Denene Erasmus of his love affair with
Franschhoek and his decision to invest in wineries here.