News

On 13 August, Grain SA led grain and oilseed producers from across the country on a march to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to present a memorandum on the exchange’s decision to revert to a single reference point model for calculating soya bean location differentials.

Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has identified foot-and-mouth disease, administrative delays, outdated systems, rural safety, and market access as some of the major challenges facing South African agriculture. In a recent discussion with Farmer’s Weekly, he outlined his proposed changes and acknowledged shortcomings within government itself.

Rising electricity costs, growing competition for water, and concerns about water quality are changing the way farmers approach irrigation investment, with efficiency and system performance becoming increasingly important.

Premier Group CEO Kobus Gertenbach has told canning fruit growers that the company will compensate them in cash for fruit it can no longer process during the coming season.

At the 12th DMC Hollard Conference, held on 11 August in Durbanville in the Western Cape, speakers urged dairy farmers to use data and early intervention to prevent production, health, and fertility losses before they become visible or affect future generations.

During a public panel discussion at KragDag 2026, held from 6 to 8 August near Rayton in Gauteng, panellists reflected on the lessons learnt from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and explored how to create an environment where farmers can operate with greater certainty and less state intervention.

Agriculture has become an increasingly prominent feature of KragDag, and this year’s expo was no exception, with agricultural exhibitions showcasing everything from precision farming technology and agricultural drones to livestock genetics, irrigation, and renewable-energy solutions.

Stronger collaboration between organised agriculture, government, and industry stakeholders is essential to building a more resilient agriculture sector, industry leaders said during a panel discussion at the Agri EC Congress 2026, held in Jeffreys Bay from 5 to 6 August.

Blueberry season is off to a good start in South Africa’s northern production regions, with growers in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West expecting good returns from strong yields, high-quality fruit, and favourable export prices. In the Western Cape, however, the outlook is less certain.

At the inaugural Table Grape Conference, held in Franschhoek, Western Cape, from 5 to 6 August, climate-related challenges dominated discussions, with speakers sharing strategies to help growers adapt to increasingly uncertain conditions.

Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, says the current season has been “highly unusual”, with conflict in the Middle East, inclement weather, softer demand, logistics challenges, and new US tariffs creating a challenging export environment for South Africa’s citrus industry.

Farmers from South Africa’s two sugar-producing provinces recently marched to National Treasury (Treasury) in Pretoria, Gauteng, warning that a surge in cheap sugar imports is threatening the survival of an industry that supports around one million livelihoods.

The 70th Thabazimbi Agriculture and Industry Show was a hive of activity and a display of strong community spirit.

Exceptionally dry conditions in June and July have affected wild flowers, grazing, and crops across parts of the Western Cape, despite the province’s relatively healthy dam levels.

The DA has presented a report to Land Bank's board, alleging serious irregularities in its handling of farm liquidations. These include claims that the bank pursued legal action without proving it had the legal standing to do so, ignored procurement rules when appointing legal service providers, and sold some farming assets below market value.

The Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act (No.35 of 2024), Section 8 (Powers of entry, search, inspection and seizure with regard to land), is set to empower government officials in South Africa.

The illegal advertising and brown-bag sale of unlawfully conditioned oat seed were recently uncovered and stopped following an investigation and engagement between the parties involved.

At a gala event held in Johannesburg last week, Carla Myburgh, agricultural economist and credit liaison officer at Senwes, was named this year’s Future Agri Perspectives Women’s Voice in Agriculture competition winner and will serve as an ambassador for women’s voices in the sector.

Growers, processors, and industry leaders have warned that Premier Group’s closure of its Fruit Products Western Cape processing facility in Tulbagh could threaten thousands of jobs, disrupt fruit supply chains, and undermine the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.

Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has announced an expansion of his foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) advisory structures to include an additional farmer representative, a veterinarian and vaccine manufacturers, saying he wants all sectors of the livestock industry to have a voice in shaping South Africa's response to the disease.