Government inaction blamed for spread of FMD in North West
The sluggish reaction of government to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in North West has been a serious impediment in the race to contain and prevent the disease from spreading further afield.
Farmers losing farms as price of blueberries falls
Blueberry producers are facing delays in their return on investment as global prices of the fruit decrease.
‘SA well-positioned to become leader in cannabis production’
South Africa has the potential to position itself as a global player on the global cannabis market. This was according to Stephen Murphy, CEO of Prohibition Partners, speaking during an online media briefing hosted by the European Delegation to South Africa.
High visitor numbers for Nampo 2022 after two-year absence
About 73 000 visitors attended Nampo Harvest Day 2022, held from 16 to 20 May, despite negative publicity about strict COVID-19 regulations, high fuel prices, and poor road conditions. This was according to Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.
Mixed reaction to latest interest rate increase announcement
While there is still a positive outlook for South Africa’s agriculture sector, the increase in the South African Reserve Bank’ (SARB) repurchase rate (repo rate), will increase farmers’ debt servicing costs, and will consequently erode profit margins.
Fears about crop yields in France as drought persists
As the world grapples with supply chain disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the agriculture department in France has warned that the unusually low winter rainfall will negatively affect crop yields there.
Global shipping container congestion set to ease
An end to exporters’ shipping container woes could be in sight as congestion in ports around the world eases.
Dragon fruit industry stabilising amid growth
Dragon fruit production is gaining ground in South Africa as farmers get to grips with production methods and market demand grows.
South Africans set for another fuel price shock in June
While it is still too early to predict what the fuel price increase would be for June, current prices are seriously undervalued, which points to another major price hike.
Nampo 2022 kicks-off on a high note after two-year hiatus
The large number of visitors received on the first day of the 2022 Nampo Harvest Day is a clear indication of the resilience of the South African agricultural value chain, according to Pieter Taljaard, Grain SA CEO.
Agri stakeholders welcome ‘balanced’ agri budget
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (agriculture department) 2022/23 budget is balanced and places emphasis on the importance of commercial agriculture, according to Christo van der Rheede, executive director of Agri SA.
High prices sway US farmers to use conservation land for crops
The US government’s goal of using conservation land to help slow global warming by sequestering carbon in plants and the soil is being complicated by farmers reintroducing crop production on such land.
Locust outbreaks in South Africa under control for now
The worst of South Africa’s locust season seems to be over thanks to cooler climatic conditions. According to various reports, only Murraysburg in the Western Cape and areas surrounding Gqeberha and Sutterheim in the Eastern Cape are still fighting small, scattered swarms.
Bright future for citrus farming in Botswana
The Botswanan government is optimistic that citrus volumes from local farms will rise significantly by 2024, due to the continued growth in the number of farmers starting citrus production in that country since 2020.
Sixty new bursaries for veterinary science students in SA
In an attempt to address the critical shortage of veterinarians and para-veterinarians in South Africa’s rural areas, 60 new bursaries will be made available to rural learners who would like to pursue careers in these fields.
Below-average rainfall expected for most of SA
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has indicated in its latest seasonal climate watch that below-average rainfall is expected over most parts of the country, except for the central and eastern coastal areas, in May, June and July.
20% of SA farmers expected to exit industry in the next decade
The findings of a new study, which found that 20% of South African farmers will exit the industry within the next decade, is in line with the global norm, according to Jaco Minnaar, president of Agri SA.
Talks between Sundays River Valley workers and farmers deadlocked
The farmworker strike in the Sundays River Valley region is continuing after the parties involved failed to reach an agreement during a meeting in Gqeberha on Thursday (5 May).
Fruit Logistica attendance positive for fruit industry
The recent Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022 exhibition in Germany hosted 40 000 buyers and trade visitors from about 130 countries, as well as 2 000 exhibitors from 87 countries.
Poor crop yields expected for Zimbabwe in 2022
Late rainfall, below average incomes, and increasing input costs do not bode well for the 2022 harvesting season in Zimbabwe. This was according to a report by the international Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET).
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