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Logistics and problems emerged as the biggest issues that farmer organisations want addressed at this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), scheduled for 8 February.

Across Europe, tens of thousands of farmers have been coming out in force to air their grievances, ranging from the cost-of-living crisis to the EU’s sustainability policies, and the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.

As the 2024 general election looms closer, and with a voter registration weekend scheduled for 3 and 4 February, the agriculture sector finds itself at a pivotal juncture, believing that the outcome of this year's election holds significant implications for the industry.

Fifteen months after Tongaat Hulett went into financial distress, its creditors have finally approved a business rescue plan.

The rate at which the world is changing seems to grow faster each year. This is particularly true for the agriculture sector, where technology, consumer demands and research culminate in a whole new playing field. What lies in store for agriculture this year? Lindi Botha looks at the top five trends that will influence the sector this year.

A Western Cape company recently announced that it had made a deal worth R300 million per year to supply chicken feet to China. The deal was apparently forged through a collaboration with Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

South African wine exports have continued its downward trend in volume, declining by 17% in 2023 to 306 million litres, according to a statement by Wines of South Africa (WOSA).

Some farming communities in California in the US have long been plagued by contaminated drinking water due to nitrates and other contaminants in the groundwater that feed wells in their communities.

The most devasting outbreak of avian influenza in recent years has finally seen a decline in infections and the price of poultry is already dropping. However, South African farmers are still awaiting the approval of the avian influenza vaccine.

While the matric class of 2023 has much to celebrate in the increased pass rate, the agriculture sector has more reason for optimism with the increase in interest in agricultural subjects.

The strict regulations introduced by the Namibian government on the importation of animal feed from South Africa pose a serious challenge for livestock producers in the southern region of the country, according to Rina Hough, commodity analyst of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU).

Following fears that the week-long protest by about 10 000 farmers in Berlin, Germany, could turn violent, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner had a more conciliatory tone when he took to the stage to address a crowd on Monday, 15 January.

The devastating flooding across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has not spared farmers, who are counting the losses of their crops, livestock and infrastructure.

The number of farm units sold in South Africa remained relatively stable at roughly 4 270 in 2023 compared with 2022, but is expected to increase in 2024 as farmers take advantage of the impact of good rains in the summer rainfall area on production, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.

Government has welcomed a decision by the People’s Republic of China to substantially reduce tariff rates on imports of South African rooibos.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN has declared 2024, International Year of Camelids, to shed light on the crucial role camelids play in the livelihoods of millions of households. The focus is particularly on indigenous people and local communities.

South Africa’s growing avocado crop received a boost late last year when Japan lifted its ban on Hass avocados from this country.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) overall Food Price Index for 2023 showed a 13,7% overall decline year-on-year, according to a FAO report released on 5 January.

Although stock theft remained rife in the Free State over the 2023 Christmas season, without the involvement and attentiveness of farming and local communities the situation would have been much worse.

The festive season in Mpumalanga was characterised by severe weather that resulted in floods, strong winds and hail. The province received uncharacteristically high amounts of rainfall.