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.
Agri role players share New Year’s resolutions for 2023
The best New Year's resolution for farmers and agribusiness leaders is to focus on self-improvement, as this will lead to greater wisdom and problem-solving skills.
Agri department issues rabies alert for the Festive Season
A warning has been issued for members of the public to be on high alert for incidences of rabies in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the area on the border between the Free State and Lesotho.
Initiative to address South Africa’s failing rural roads welcomed
Agri SA welcomed the initiative taken by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) in convening a meeting between stakeholders in an attempt to fix the country’s dilapidated rural road infrastructure.
High meat inflation makes for expensive festive season
As South Africans entered the festive season, meat inflation reached its highest level in 14 months at 10,5% year-on-year, making this a “very expensive braai season”, according to Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Agri-Business.
Sharp increase in area planted to crops in Zimbabwe
In a positive development for that country, farmers in Zimbabwe have reported that they have planted double the number of hectares to maize to date in 2022, compared with the same time the previous year.
Low oilseed, grain stock supplies to keep prices high in 2023
Despite high commodity prices encouraging farmers across the world to increase grain and oilseed plantings, a challenging production environment is expected to curb global agricultural output.
Joint venture aims to improve Eastern Cape veld goat industry
Twenty-one indigenous veld goats were delivered to the AmaBhele kaJamangile Kingdom in the Maclear area of the Eastern Cape on Wednesday (13 December), as part of a joint venture between Chief Zwelothando Mabandla, AfriForum and the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI).
Tough season strains SA’s citrus export growth
Members of the citrus industry have expressed concern about the 2023 export season, after producers failed to meet export targets for 2022.
US$98 million initiative to restore rangelands in Botswana
United States (US) Conservation International, United Nations (UN) Green Climate Fund and Botswana’s Ministry of Agriculture recently launched a new initiative intended to restore communal rangelands and improve the grazing on farmland in Botswana.
First global study on the effects of livestock grazing
The first-ever global assessment of the impact of livestock grazing, in which the University of Pretoria participated, has revealed the important role gazing plays in the ecology of dryland regions.
Agri confidence declines, despite positive GDP contribution
South Africa’s agriculture sector has bounced back to again be among the largest contributors to quarter-on-quarter (q/q) GDP growth in the third quarter of 2022.
US farming income reaches record high in 2022
It is expected that high commodity prices, partly due to the Russia-Ukraine war, will result in net farming income in the US reaching a record US$160,5 billion (about R2,7 trillion) this year.
Plans for more Nile tilapia farming in Zimbabwe
A strategy that will see a nearly threefold increase in farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Zimbabwe has been announced by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
French fry import tariffs remain a ‘hot potato’ – stakeholders
Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) has rejected recent claims that the implementation of import tariffs on French fries was driving up food prices and threatening food security in South Africa.
Celebrating the vital role of healthy soils in food security
This year, World Soil Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems by addressing the growing challenges faced in soil management.
‘Political infighting is hindering agri investment and job creation’
Politicians’ actions in South Africa are threatening food security in the only country on the continent that is self-sufficient in food production. This was according to Chris Schutte, CEO of Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest integrated poultry company.
Mexico seeking deal with US in the wake of planned GM maize ban
The Mexican government has moved swiftly to assuage fears that the country’s recently announced plan to ban genetically-modified (GM) maize by 2024 could violate the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact.
Diesel price to drop in December but petrol price hike looms
Good and bad news awaits South African motorists in December with petrol prices expected to rise, offsetting an expected sharp drop in diesel prices.
