South Africa

Agri business NWK realised an after-tax profit of R52 million for the year ended 30 April 2017, despite a disappointing year with markedly weaker agricultural results than previous years.

It is estimated that between 8% and 15% of South Africa’s macadamia crop is stolen from nut producers, according to Alex Whyte, sales and marketing manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East at Green Farms Nut Company (GFNC).

The African Farmer’s Association of South Africa (Afasa) in the Free State has resolved to continue fostering partnerships that will enable emerging farmers to go forward as commercial farmers.

Mequatling Smokin' Jo (WB 15 306), a Black Angus bull, was sold for R140 000, a new SA record for the breed, at the recent Mequatling Red and Black Angus 50th production auction in Clocolan in the Free State.

Zimbabwe’s bumper 2017 maize crop would not have a significant impact on South African maize exports to Africa. This was according to Luan van der Walt, Grain SA economist.

Rare Grill in Kenilworth, Johannesburg, was recently announced as the winner of the 2017 Wolftrap Steakhouse Championship.

Questions have been raised about duty-free wheat imports expected this year, which reportedly will amount to between about R300 million to R400 million, following the signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) last year.

The first rights to explore for oil and gas have been approved in KwaZulu-Natal.

The number of farm attacks in the Free State has risen to 35. The latest attack took place on Friday between Theunissen and Winburg.

Increased meat prices kept food inflation stable at 6,9% year-on-year (y/y).

Higher international fuel prices and the weakening of the rand against most major currencies have increased the probability of local fuel prices increasing in August.

Grain SA has strongly advised local wheat farmers to be on the lookout for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) after unconfirmed reports were received of the pest being found in wheat production areas in Zimbabwe.

ChemChina's participation in Syngenta has exceeded 98% of Syngenta's share capital, following the purchase of additional Syngenta shares…

Deputy agricultural minister Bheki Cele said a significant budget is needed for the department to implement the Maputo Declaration, issued at the 2003 African Union summit in Mozambique.

Thousands of hectares of eastern Free State veld were destroyed by wild fires over the past weekend, said Thinus Steenkamp, general manager for the Free State Umbrella Fire Association.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has gazetted the Draft Mine Water Management Policy for public comments for a period of 60 days, from 14 July to 14 September 2017.

June tractor and harvester sales have increased 24,4% or 479 units year-on-year.

After the success of the Agribusiness Africa Conference, Farmer’s Weekly received numerous requests for the presentations presented at the conference. These are now available for download here.

A recently granted Western Cape High Court order will allow the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to resume its Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) to include previously disadvantaged new entrants in South Africa’s inshore trawl fishery for hake and sole.

Suspended Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Director-General Mike Mlengana says his suspension did not come as a shock, as his relationship with Minister Senzeni Zokwana had been deteriorating for some time.