Hoverflies take flight in SA as back-up crop pollinators
With honeybee pollination services under growing pressure and South African growers increasingly concerned about hive availability, commercially reared hoverflies are being tested as an additional pollination tool for high-value fruit and seed crops.
NWAFASA marks end of Women’s Month with an event focused on personal well-being
The Women’s Desk of the North West African Farmers Association of South Africa (NWAFASA) rounded off Women’s Month with an event focused on female farmers in Taung, North West, on 27 August 2026.
Tongaat Hulett delays payments to growers amid cash flow constraints
Tongaat Hulett may have escaped liquidation, but the sugar processor remains under financial pressure, with a R517 million statutory levy claim, a fresh Constitutional Court setback, and delays in cane farmer payments.
RCL’s revenue drops 4,1% as consumer demand continues to decline
Pressure on cash-strapped consumers and mounting challenges in agricultural markets converged in RCL Foods’ (RCL) latest results, contributing to a sharp decline in earnings for the year ended June 2026.
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.
Black-owned grape farm seeks title deed to unlock growth
Black-owned Siyazama Klipland Boerdery in the Hex River Valley, Western Cape, has more than doubled its grape production over the past five years and is now looking to its next growth phase. Farm manager and shareholder Alec Abrahams says securing a title deed remains a major hurdle.
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.
