Call to classify agri sector as COVID-19 vaccine priority
Agri SA wants agriculture to be classified as a COVID-19 vaccination priority to enable workers in the sector to become vaccinated as soon as possible.
South Africa’s 2021 maize harvest nears halfway mark
South Africa’s summer grain harvesting is progressing well in the 2021/2022 marketing season, with maize harvesting in particular being completed at a much faster rate than at the same time last year.
New Grain SA CEO wants to focus on technology, relationships
Grain SA’s newly appointed CEO, Dr Pieter Taljaard, plans to help all grain farmers utilise technology in growing their businesses, while fostering good relationships within the value chain.
Traceability to open beef export opportunities for Zimbabwe
A livestock traceability system in Zimbabwe is crucial to gain access to global markets and improve the national herd’s health status. This was according to the country’s deputy minister of agriculture Vangelis Haritotod.
Poor countries under threat from surging food import costs
The cost of global food imports, including shipping, is expected to increase 12% to reach a record US$1,71 trillion (about R24,55 trillion) this year, up from US$1,53 trillion (R21,59 trillion) in 2020.
Global container shortages eroding citrus exporters’ profits
South Africa’s citrus industry is currently under economic pressure due to the global shortage of shipping containers, primarily as a result of COVID-19-related trade restrictions.
SA agribusiness confidence at its highest level on record
The recently released record-high Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index figures provide agricultural producers with the opportunity to reinvest in their farming concerns and address their debt structures.
SA on track to harvest record soya bean crop
The current spike in soya bean production is good news for South Africa since it will mean that significantly less of the commodity will need to be imported.
Call to reopen abattoirs in KwaZulu-Natal
More than 3 000 head of livestock have already been tested for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal after the outbreak of the disease in the Mtubatuba area of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality in May.
‘Clover factory closure no shock for dairy farmers’
The Ditsobotla Local Municipality cannot afford to allow Clover to close and relocate its operations as this will have a devastating effect on over 300 families, according to the Premier of North West, Job Mokgoro.
High-tech greenhouse boom in China following COVID-19
Workers at a new glass greenhouse facility operated by Dutch company FoodVentures on Chongming Island just outside Shanghai in China, recently harvested their first batch of tomatoes and cucumbers.
‘Downturn in agri GDP contribution a temporary blip’
Despite an increase in South Africa’s GDP of 1,1%, translating into an annualised growth rate of 4,6%, in the first quarter of this year, the agriculture sector saw a downturn in GDP contribution to -3,2% (seasonally adjusted and annualised), according to Statistics South Africa.
Rooibos farmers hopeful origin-status will lift weak prices
Despite farm-gate prices for rooibos currently being under pressure, farmers have expressed optimism about the EU’s acknowledgment of South Africa as the designation of origin of rooibos.
Bid for removal of Namibia’s veterinary fence a risk for SA
A recent application submitted to the High Court to have the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) in Namibia declared unconstitutional is misguided, according to Thinus Pretorius, chairperson of the Namibian Livestock Producers’ Organisation.
Former officials charged with fraud in Estina dairy case
The DA will not rest until politicians are held accountable alongside officials for their involvement in the failed Estina dairy farm project near Vrede in the Free State.
EFF’s and ANC’s new proposals on land met with scepticism
Several farmers’ organisations have voiced grave concern about controversial additional proposals regarding the expropriation of land without compensation that have been presented to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution.
Global beef prices benefit from soaring demand in China
Beef prices are surging around the world, which is contributing to global food prices skyrocketing to their highest level since 2014.
2021 Nampo Harvest Day cancelled
The 2021 Nampo Harvest Day scheduled for August this year has been cancelled. In 2020, the event that was to be held in May that year was also cancelled, and the decision was then taken to reschedule this year’s Nampo Harvest Day to August.
Bumper maize crop won’t undermine producer price – Grain SA
It is highly unlikely that maize prices will decline, despite industry stakeholders forecasting a record harvest this season.
Cold weather helps contain Free State locust outbreak
The current cold spell being experienced across the Free State has greatly contributed to containing the severe locust outbreak in the Bultfontein area.
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