Fur industry in Greece on the brink of collapse
The fur garment industry in Greece has been forced to shut down overnight due to the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Importance of vigilance stressed after Kestell farm murders
The murder of seven people on Lismor Farm in the Kestell district on Friday, 15 July has reaffirmed the importance of vigilance and having an up-to-date rural safety plan in place to empower farmers against farm attacks. This was according to Uys van der Westhuizen, chairperson of Agri SA’s rural safety committee.
Global agri machinery sales set to spike as local sales slow
Despite the robust performance of local agricultural machinery sales in the first half of the year, sales were expected to level off in the second half of 2022, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief agricultural economist at Agbiz.
‘Consumers must brace themselves for interest rate hike this week’
South African businesses and consumers should prepare themselves for an interest rate hike of between 50 and 75 basis points to be announced by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Thursday, 21 July.
Outcry over continued donkey skin exports
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s stewardship manager, expressed serious concern about the exporting of donkey skins from South Africa to China.
Khoi and San communities to earn over R12 million from rooibos
South Africa’s Khoi and San communities are finally being recognised for their intellectual contributions to rooibos cultivation. However, according to Collin Louw, secretary general of the South African San Council, it was concerning to see the amount of infighting among the communities’ members over the funds they were due to be paid for the role they played in the sector.
Calls for closer scrutiny of US fertiliser industry
While the fertiliser industry in the US scrambles to find solutions to rising prices, some farming organisations have expressed concern that the efforts being made are not addressing the control large fertiliser companies wield over the market
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.
