Export opportunities for fruit rely on compliance fitness
New export opportunities are emerging for South African fruit, but producers must be ‘compliance fit’ to gain market access, delegates heard at the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa Conference in Paarl, Western Cape, on 19 August.
Grain SA calls for affordable crop insurance as dry weather threatens Swartland wheat
Severe rainfall shortages threatening the Swartland wheat crop have highlighted the need for government support to make crop insurance affordable for dryland producers.
De Doorns grape farm seeks title deed after doubling output
Having more than doubled its table grape production over the past five years, the black-owned Siyazama Klipland Boerdery in the Hex River Valley is looking to its next phase of growth, but farm manager and shareholder Alec Abrahams believes securing a title deed remains one of the most important hurdles to overcome.
Biosecurity measures tightened for Swartland Show
Enhanced biosecurity measures will be implemented for the 92nd Swartland Show’s cattle section this year as organisers aim to safeguard animal health and support the long-term sustainability of livestock exhibitions.
SA food inflation at a 16-year low
South Africa’s annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate slowed to 0,9% in July 2026, from 1,6% in June. This means food and beverage prices were, on average, 0,9% higher than in July 2025.
Plans taking shape to move agri commodities by rail
The local agricultural value chain has a unique opportunity to shape the future of its freight landscape, including moving some commodities to rail, through a process running until 30 September.
Hemelhuijs takes top honours for berry jam
Hemelhuijs has earned the top spot for its berry jam, standing out among a field of exceptional competitors. This handcrafted organic berry jam took top spot among 700 entries at the South African Preserve Championships, presented by Agri-Expo in Durbanville, Western Cape
SASTA congress looks at new ways to unlock value from sugar cane
Research that delivers practical solutions, closer collaboration across the sugar value chain, and finding new ways to extract value from sugar cane were among the key themes at the recent 98th South African Sugar Technologists’ Association (SASTA) Congress in Durban.
SA’s small strawberry industry packs high value
South Africa produces an estimated 33 000t of strawberries annually from around 740ha, with growers facing establishment costs of up to R2 million/ha and labour accounting for as much as 45% of production costs.
New global regulations to filter into SA agriculture
New compliance regulations being introduced in global markets are expected to ripple through South Africa’s agricultural value chain.
SA extends registration deadline for livestock suppliers to UAE
South African livestock producers have been given more time to meet the requirements for exporting red meat to the UAE, with the registration deadline extended to the end of 2026.
El Niño and inflation: SA farmers face a complicated 2026/27
South African farmers face a challenging 2026/27 season as rising diesel, electricity, and financing costs squeeze profit margins, alongside a potential El Niño event demanding strict cash flow management.
Finance and partnerships key to unlocking agribusiness export growth
With weak domestic spending limiting agricultural growth, South African agribusinesses will increasingly need to access export markets to expand. However, turning those opportunities into viable projects will require access to finance, risk protection, and stronger partnerships.
Peanut butter tariff evens the odds for local industry
South Africa’s groundnut industry has been handed a fighting chance to rebuild local production and processing after government corrected a tariff imbalance that had placed locally manufactured peanut butter at a significant disadvantage to imports.
South African citrus gains new cold-treatment option for India market
South African citrus exporters have gained greater flexibility in accessing the Indian market following India’s approval of in-transit cold treatment for fresh citrus from South Africa.
Swartland Show is a showcasing and solution platform
The 92nd Swartland Show will take place from Wednesday, 2 September, to Saturday, 5 September 2026, at the Moorreesburg Showgrounds in the Western Cape.
SSK Winter Grain Day puts grain innovation and profitability under the spotlight
This year’s SSK Winter Grain Day took place at Uitkyk Farm outside Riversdale, Western Cape, on 20 August, bringing together producers and industry experts to discuss developments in winter grain production. Attendees viewed trial plots of wheat, barley, and canola, as well as cover crops and biological inputs.
SA’s beleaguered sugar industry hit by strike
South Africa’s troubled sugar industry has been dealt another blow, with around 6 000 workers taking to the streets in protest after wage negotiations between unions and employers reached a deadlock.
Agriculture must challenge its ‘holy cows’ to keep building
Farmers and agricultural leaders must test comfortable assumptions against producer viability, fair competition, and measurable delivery, Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer told the Agri Limpopo Congress.
Grain SA warns of major financial losses in soya bean pricing dispute
Grain SA has escalated its dispute with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over soya bean location differentials, arguing that a return to a single reference point could impose substantially higher theoretical transport deductions on producers.
