Port disruptions push passion fruit farm abroad
South Africa’s largest passion fruit farming enterprise is moving its operations to Ghana in response to Transnet’s inability to operate South Africa’s ports smoothly, taking millions of rands of investment and hundreds of jobs with it.
Lifeline for stakeholders in Ashton fruit canning business
Farmers have expressed relief about the announcement that Tiger Brands will extend operations at its canning business, Langeberg & Ashton Foods, for another season.
Concern about impact of ongoing civil unrest on farmers
Protest action that result in disruptions to major transport routes could have a dire impact on the economy over time, according to stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Canada’s commodity exports surge amid global economic slowdown
Canada is managing to weather the current global economic crisis much better than many other G7 countries, with most facing the prospects of recession.
Disrepair of Potch agri college raises alarm
The dilapidated conditions at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture were cause for serious concern, the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) said in a recent statement.
Unscheduled power outages result in high chicken mortalities
In addition to Eskom’s schedule of rolling blackouts across South Africa, which reached Stage 6 in early July, farmers in Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga have also been hit by severe and unscheduled power outages referred to as ‘load reduction’.
Greater safety precautions needed at silos in South Africa
More should be done to regulate and improve the safety in and around grain silos in South Africa. This was according to Bert Oosthuizen, director of Grain Storage Projects Africa, a company offering silo services such as inspections and assessments across Africa.
SA biltong hunters cautioned to heed Namibian regulations
South African hunters planning to undertake hunting trips to Namibia would be well advised to familiarise themselves with that country’s official regulations pertaining to the transportation of meat back to South Africa.
Record fall in consumer confidence likely to curtail spending
In recent months, food and fuel prices have increased rapidly, while people are not receiving adequate delivery of basic services.
Acute shortage of agri chemicals hits US crop yields
The persistent shortage of agricultural chemicals in the US is threatening crop yields, as farmers reduce the use of common weedkillers, search for substitutes for fungicides, and adapt production plans.
‘Traditional farmers left out of cannabis boom’
Millions of subsistence farmers in the Mpondoland region of the former Transkei are being sidelined because of the legalisation of cannabis and hemp production.
More rate increase shocks on the cards for South Africans
South Africans are expected to face hefty fuel price and interest rate hikes in July, which according to Marlene Louw, senior economist at Absa AgriBusiness, will further worsen cost pressures on farmers, and leave consumers with less money to spend on food.
‘Food security and the safety of rural communities go hand in hand’
South Africa’s food security is dependent on the safety of farming communities, according to Uys van der Westhuijzen, chairperson of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence on Rural Safety.
Promising prospects for citrus exports from Zimbabwe
The outlook for citrus exports from Zimbabwe is very favourable, especially in light of the considerable increase in that country’s export volumes to the EU.
‘Eskom’s carbon footprint could hamper agri exports in future’
Eskom’s extensive carbon footprint could mean that South Africa’s agricultural commodities will not be welcomed on international markets in future, due to the global move away from fossil fuel usage.
Fears about potential ban on rice exports from India
The way in which India balances its domestic rice needs against exports could help that country redeem itself after its ban on wheat exports last month.
Thousands of jobs threatened by Ashton canning factory closure
Suppliers of canning fruit to Langeberg and Ashton Foods have been placed in an impossible position after Tiger Brands gave them less than 60 days to come up with more than R200 million to prevent the closure of the factory.
Non-payment of locust officers under the spotlight
Senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Agri SA were planning to meet soon to discuss the non-payment of critical service providers in the midst of the worst locust outbreak of the past 25 years.
Records abound at South Africa’s national Ankole auction
The Ankole Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa’s national auction on 18 June raked in more than R21 million in total for the 80 lots on offer.
Plans afoot to return Angola coffee production to former glory
Angola had set its sights on the global coffee market, and two companies have so far invested in the expansion of coffee production in the historical coffee-producing areas of that country.
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