News

Blueberry season is off to a good start in South Africa’s northern production regions, with growers in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West expecting good returns from strong yields, high-quality fruit, and favourable export prices. In the Western Cape, however, the outlook is less certain.

At the inaugural Table Grape Conference, held in Franschhoek, Western Cape, from 5 to 6 August, climate-related challenges dominated discussions, with speakers sharing strategies to help growers adapt to increasingly uncertain conditions.

Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, says the current season has been “highly unusual”, with conflict in the Middle East, inclement weather, softer demand, logistics challenges, and new US tariffs creating a challenging export environment for South Africa’s citrus industry.

Farmers from South Africa’s two sugar-producing provinces recently marched to National Treasury (Treasury) in Pretoria, Gauteng, warning that a surge in cheap sugar imports is threatening the survival of an industry that supports around one million livelihoods.

The 70th Thabazimbi Agriculture and Industry Show was a hive of activity and a display of strong community spirit.

Exceptionally dry conditions in June and July have affected wild flowers, grazing, and crops across parts of the Western Cape, despite the province’s relatively healthy dam levels.

The DA has presented a report to Land Bank's board, alleging serious irregularities in its handling of farm liquidations. These include claims that the bank pursued legal action without proving it had the legal standing to do so, ignored procurement rules when appointing legal service providers, and sold some farming assets below market value.

The Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act (No.35 of 2024), Section 8 (Powers of entry, search, inspection and seizure with regard to land), is set to empower government officials in South Africa.

The illegal advertising and brown-bag sale of unlawfully conditioned oat seed were recently uncovered and stopped following an investigation and engagement between the parties involved.

At a gala event held in Johannesburg last week, Carla Myburgh, agricultural economist and credit liaison officer at Senwes, was named this year’s Future Agri Perspectives Women’s Voice in Agriculture competition winner and will serve as an ambassador for women’s voices in the sector.

Growers, processors, and industry leaders have warned that Premier Group’s closure of its Fruit Products Western Cape processing facility in Tulbagh could threaten thousands of jobs, disrupt fruit supply chains, and undermine the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.

Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has announced an expansion of his foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) advisory structures to include an additional farmer representative, a veterinarian and vaccine manufacturers, saying he wants all sectors of the livestock industry to have a voice in shaping South Africa's response to the disease.

Zimbabwe’s blueberry export industry received a boost this month when exports to China began on 7 July, followed two days later by the announcement of a direct air route between Harare and London Gatwick.

Tiger Brands has launched a R200 million-plus investment on its Paarl Culinary megasite in the Western Cape.

Essential oil produced in South Africa creates jobs, strengthens local manufacturing, and generates greater value for the economy.

The Proudly SA Local Wine Expo celebrated South African flavour, entrepreneurship, and homegrown excellence.

From traditional peach preserves to spekboom chutney and olives stuffed with cashew nuts, local producers showcased the country’s culinary heritage and flair for innovation at this year’s South African Preserve Championships.

This year, the organisers of Nampo Cape are continuing their drive to expand the show’s scope and increase the representation of the Western Cape’s extremely diverse agricultural landscape.

The Department of Agriculture hosted the North West leg of its Youth in Agriculture Dialogue on 23 July at North-West University’s Mahikeng Campus as part of its countrywide efforts to promote greater youth participation in agriculture.

The Durban High Court has dismissed a fresh application by RGS Group Holdings (RGS) to set aside Tongaat Hulett’s business rescue plan, ruling that because the matter is already before the courts, it cannot be litigated twice.