Sugar tax the main threat to the industry in 2023

While the sugar industry anticipates harvesting a similar volume of sugar cane as the average of the past five years, any increase in the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or sugar tax, would result in severe damage to the struggling industry.

Pork industry gearing up for growth in 2023

South Africa’s commercial pig sector aims to grow its market share throughout 2023 by improving consumer awareness, while simultaneously boosting sustainability in terms of production.

‘Poaching can lead to local succulent species becoming extinct’

The poaching of endemic succulent species in South Africa presents a very serious threat that can lead to many species becoming extinct, including those in the Hoodia, Conophytum and Euphorbia genera.

Zimbabwe’s maize imports show a sharp decline in 2022

Zimbabwe imported significantly less maize in 2022 when compared with 2021, according to the most recent statistics released by the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStat).

US farmer’s confidence guarded for agriculture in 2023/24

While the confidence of US farmers in the local agricultural economy is at its highest level in 16 months, farmers are somewhat uncertain of what the 2023/24 season holds, according to the latest monthly Ag Economy Barometer report by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Correct fresh produce packaging could aid growth

South African farmers “need to take a serious look at the sustainability and recyclability of their fresh produce packaging if they want to take advantage of emerging market opportunities around the world”.

‘Lower fuel prices welcomed, but could increase again shortly’

The drop in South Africa’s fuel prices, which came into effect on Wednesday (4 January), is a positive development that will lower agricultural production costs.

Farm sales in South Africa looking bullish

A total of 3 864 farms were sold in South Africa between January and October 2022, a significant increase from the 3 133 over the same period in 2021, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.

Table grape volumes expected to decline

The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) expects volumes of table grapes for exporting to decrease by almost 8% in the 2022/23 season, down from the previous season’s 77,7 million 4,5kg-equivalent cartons to about 71,7 million.

Consumer health trends positive for SA olives

Consumers’ focus on healthy living was helping to drive growing global demand for olive oil, according to Vittoria Jooste, CEO of the South African Olive Association.

New hopes and challenges for SA wool value chain

This year has been the South African wool industry’s most challenging time in two-and-a-half decades, according to Leon de Beer, general manager of the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA).

Expectations for game ranching industry in 2023

The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on South Africa’s game ranching industry will be considerably lower in 2023 than during the past two years.

Hopes for poultry sector growth, despite challenges

Significant investments in South Africa’s poultry sector are expected to accelerate its transformation, thereby creating a significant number of jobs.

UK pig numbers down on the back of high feed costs

There has been some concern among stakeholders in the UK’s pig industry after recent data released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), indicated that total pig numbers in that country have dropped to 5,2 million, down by 2,5% on 2021 figures.