Heavy fuel load could result in ‘extreme fire season’ for SA
With the winter fire season getting underway in South Africa, Agri SA has warned its members to prepare for a more destructive fire season than normal.
Flood-ravaged KwaZulu-Natal braces for more heavy rainfall
More rain is expected over the flood-ravaged coastline of KwaZulu-Natal from Friday (15 April) to Wednesday (20 April).
Water rights litigation creates uncertainty for SA farmers
The recent Constitutional Court decision on the transferability and trading of water rights will create uncertainty and erode investor confidence in the agricultural sector, stakeholders have said.
SA citrus exports set to increase despite ongoing challenges
For the first time since South Africa’s single-channel marketing system for agricultural commodities was abolished in the 1990s, citrus fruit was exported from the Port of Maputo in Mozambique on Monday, 11 April.
No end in sight for logistical problems at Port of Cape Town
Stakeholders in the fruit and wine industries are doing everything in their power to address logistical challenges and bottlenecks at South Africa’s ports, specifically the Port of Cape Town, with the situation currently being exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
France facing ‘worst-ever’ second-wave bird flu outbreak
With the number of cullings having reached more than 12 million birds in the first week of April, France is facing its worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) ever, fuelled by the highly contagious H5N1 virus.
Free State FMD case sparks concern among livestock farmers
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, confirmed in the Viljoenskroon area of the Free State, is a localised, exceptional event, and with the co-operation of all stakeholders the situation can be brought under control soon.
Agri sector calls for immediate action to repair poor roads
South Africa’s road infrastructure is critical to the success of the agriculture sector, because commodities valued at about R7,1 billion per annum are transported along these roads.
South African cane farmers welcome delay in sugar tax increase
The South African Cane Growers’ Association (SA Canegrowers) has welcomed the recent announcement of a 12-month delay in the increasing of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) from 2,21c/g to 2,31c/g of sugar that exceeds 4g/100ml in sugary beverages, but said the tax should rather be “scrapped altogether”.
Wet weather expected to continue across SA in the medium term
The present rainy conditions over most of South Africa can be expected to continue until May, with a dry spell expected from about June to November, particularly over the central to western parts of the country.
‘Short-term fuel price relief welcomed, but challenges remain’
There has been guarded optimism from stakeholders in the South African agriculture industry following government’s decision to reduce the basic fuel levy by R1,50/l for the next two months, while more permanent interventions were being put in place.
Australian consumers’ demand for free-range eggs faltering
The reality of current reduced household budgets in Australia is being reflected in the demand for free-range eggs in that country. While daily egg consumption in Australia has reached 17 million, the preference for free-range eggs is no longer rising.
FMD outbreaks ‘could ruin SA’s red meat industry’
South African livestock producers who are unwilling to implement sustainable and thorough biosecurity measures on their farms are irresponsible, according to James Faber, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.
Agri sector job creation lauded amid increasing cost pressure
The growing importance of the agriculture sector as an employer in South Africa has again been reiterated by Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) employment figures for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021.
‘SA is sitting on a water-pollution time bomb’
South Africa is sitting on a time bomb as far the contamination of its water resources, and groundwater in particular, is concerned. This was according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.
Namibia bans cattle movement after lung sickness outbreak
A complete ban on the movement cattle has come into immediate effect in four areas in the Kavango West Region of Namibia following an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.
Interest rate hike could stunt growth of SA’s agri sector
The announcement by the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday, 24 March that the repo rate is increasing by 25 basis points to 4,25%, has been met with concern by agriculture sector stakeholders.
Rising demand for rice in animal feed puts pressure on supplies
The use of low-grade rice in animal feed rations across Asia has resulted in the price of this staple commodity rising rapidly.
SA wine exports to African countries on the rise
Wine producers looking to expand their export footprint over the next three years should look at countries elsewhere in Africa, where tourism is booming.
Harmful algal blooms in dams pose serious risk for livestock
Farmers have been warned to be on the lookout for cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies, which can be lethal for both humans and animals, and are currently very prevalent.
