News

The discovery of dozens of dead pigs in and around Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape has renewed concerns over the biosecurity risks posed by free-roaming livestock in peri-urban communities, with veterinary authorities warning that uncontrolled animal movement can accelerate the spread of disease.

Cannabis and industrial hemp development formed part of discussions on Wednesday during day two of the Africa Agricultural Indaba, where stakeholders in agriculture, government and investment sectors gathered to assess value chain opportunities in the Eastern Cape and across South Africa.

The South African wine industry is under pressure from rising stock levels, a contracting vineyard footprint, and shifting global demand, forcing producers to rethink long-term production models.

South Africa’s annual consumer inflation rate accelerated sharply to 4% in April, up from 3,1% in March, driven primarily by a steep increase in fuel prices that filtered through the transport sector and broader economy.

At the Africa Agricultural Indaba 2026 in East London, the Eastern Cape government is intensifying its push for agriculture-led economic growth, with Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe urging stronger investment in agro-processing, local procurement, and farmer commercialisation.

Zimbabwe has partially lifted its suspension on imports of live cloven-hoofed animals and products from South Africa, reopening trade from the Western Cape only. Animals will be accepted only from farms and compartments certified by Zimbabwean state veterinarians as meeting World Organisation for Animal Health standards.

South African agriculture’s resilience was on display at the 58th Nampo Harvest Day, which attracted 81 822 visitors and more than 910 exhibitors to Nampo Park outside Bothaville in the Free State from 12 to 15 May despite difficult conditions.

Ahead of World Bee Day on 20 May, South African researchers and beekeepers warn that declining forage resources are placing sustained pressure on honeybee populations, threatening pollination services that underpin much of the country’s agricultural production.

The intense storms that hit the Western Cape earlier this month caused “billions of rands” in damage to the province’s agriculture sector, according to provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer, with power outages now threatening fruit exports and processing.

The South African poultry industry is taking Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau to court in a bid to suspend a long-standing rebate that allows tens of thousands of tons of US chicken into the country each year without antidumping duties.

The cost-price squeeze facing the grain industry is not only a threat to farmers but also poses a growing risk to the broader financial system if producers are unable to repay their debt obligations, says Land Bank chief agricultural economist Sakhumzi May.

Cattle pens were empty at this year’s Bulawayo Agricultural Show in Zimbabwe due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Southern Africa, but small-stock and young agripreneurs focused on value addition kept the event going.

Farmer’s Weekly and FarmTalk brought the agricultural community together in a show of solidarity and support at their FMD (foot-and-mouth disease) Relief Fund Golf Day, held on 21 April in Johannesburg, raising R186 000 to assist farmers affected by the disease.

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Rosemary Nokuzola Capa tabled the R7,8 billion Agriculture Budget Vote 29 for 2026/27 in Parliament in Cape Town on 15 May, with biosecurity spending prioritising foot-and-mouth disease control and vaccine rollout.

South African farmers are increasingly constrained by rising costs and falling commodity prices, with industry leaders warning that producers can only do so much to survive the current cost-price squeeze before broader structural support becomes essential.

The South African wine industry is increasingly focusing on premiumisation, sustainability, and long-term value growth as it navigates pricing pressures and ongoing global oversupply in certain segments.

Nampo Harvest Day once again proved why it remains the highlight of the agricultural calendar. The four days flew by in a blur of innovation, conversation and discovery. This year, the Farmer’s Weekly team spread out across Nampo Park in Bothaville in search of everything new, different, interesting and useful to report on.

The last Nation in Conversation panellist discussion held during Nampo 2026 on Friday morning looked at the realities, challenges, and opportunities for farmers against the background of the global trade and economic environment, and how these dynamics are reshaping South Africa’s export opportunities.

Fairfield Dairy, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodlands Dairy Group, has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of 100% of Ladismith Cheese Company and its subsidiaries, following approval by the Competition Tribunal of South Africa.

Water is one of agriculture’s most vital resources, and in a water-scarce country like South Africa, the sector finds itself competing with urban demand, industry, and environmental priorities.