News

The Western Cape government is working to make environmental approval processes more practical and responsive to agriculture’s needs following recent flooding in the province, while also aiming to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers.

South Africa’s cannabis industry has a significant opportunity to establish itself as a competitive supplier to international markets, but success will depend on producers’ ability to meet increasingly stringent quality, compliance, and production standards.

A new agricultural innovation competition is offering up-and-coming agripreneurs a chance to take their ideas from the farm gate to the global stage.

Karan Beef has resumed beef exports after more than a year of disruptions caused by foot-and-mouth disease, with its first container now en route to Jordan.

Climate change is placing growing pressure on South African agriculture, with industry representatives and government warning of increasing risks to food production, water security and rural livelihoods ahead of World Environment Day.

The Agbiz Congress 2026, held in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, from 3 to 5 June, brought together leaders and stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain under the theme ‘Embracing Collaboration’

Thousands of tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe say they are frustrated with low prices, pointing to a growing gap between returns and high production costs as the country’s 2026 tobacco marketing season continues.

Despite sectoral consultations and a public commentary process that began in December 2025 and was later extended to 27 March 2026, farmers may have to wait several more months for clarity on the proposed Regulations for the Protection and Management of Groundwater Resources.

China’s recent tariff-free market access and amended protocols on citrus fruit shipments from South Africa are expected to be a game-changer for the local industry.

South Africa still has the opportunity to develop a world-leading cannabis industry, but achieving that goal will require a more integrated approach to policy development, stronger support for local economic participation, and a regulatory framework that enables meaningful industry growth.

South Africa's agriculture sector could have created significantly more jobs and expanded production much faster had government implemented long-standing land reform and farmer support plans.

Amid a delayed and uncertain start to the 2026/27 sugar cane season, KwaZulu-Natal’s sugar industry is pinning its hopes on a grower-led rescue plan aimed at preventing the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett and safeguarding thousands of jobs linked to its mills and refinery operations.

The rapidly evolving cannabis and hemp industry took centre stage at the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 29 to 31 May.

As South Africa’s dairy industry marks World Milk Day on 1 June, the experiences of women across the value chain reflect an industry under increasing pressure as producers and processors navigate rising costs, climate variability, and shifting consumer demand.

South Africa’s wine industry is failing to connect with a rapidly modernising township consumer market that is increasingly driving food, lifestyle and premium alcohol trends, entrepreneur and author GG Alcock told delegates at the South Africa Wine Summit 2026.

The Eastern Cape’s emerging hemp industry has taken a step forward following the display of locally processed hemp fabric at a stakeholder engagement session held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay earlier this week.

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign is facing increasing scrutiny as Parliament raises concerns about the state’s ability to contain the outbreak and questions intensify over whether government has the operational capacity to manage vaccine rollout at the speed and scale required.

Ahead of International Day of Potato on 30 May, attention is being given to the role potatoes play in food supply and agricultural activity in South Africa, alongside ongoing production pressures.

South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for faster regional cooperation to strengthen food security, improve fertiliser access, and contain the growing threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across Southern Africa.

South African wheat farmers are facing mounting financial pressure as continued delays in the implementation of a revised wheat tariff add further uncertainty to an industry already grappling with rising input costs, weak profitability, and shrinking plantings.