Amendments to Liquor Act could raise costs and barriers for traders

Liquor law attorney Danie Cronje has warned that South African wine and liquor distributors could face major hurdles if recently proposed changes to the Liquor Act (No. 59 of 2003) are accepted.

Eastern Cape targets global growth with natural ingredient exports

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation, in partnership with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme, earlier this week launched the Eastern Cape Natural Ingredients Export Promotion Strategy.

Uncertain future for Polokwane’s rhinos

The DA has called for an independent wildlife management specialist to urgently review the future of the city of Polokwane’s relocated rhinos.

Grain exporters look to capitalise on rail privatisation

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently announced that 11 private rail operators had successfully bid for rail slots on Transnet’s network. Grain value chain players are already looking at ways to transport surplus grain earmarked for export from the interior to Durban by train.

Rotary Club honours SACTA’s community contribution

At the Rotary Club of Pretoria Capital’s Service Awards ceremony held on 26 August, members honoured local heroes, including the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA).

Critics say draft live export regulations ‘greenwash’ animal suffering

Government’s draft regulations for the export of live animals by sea have sparked sharp criticism from animal welfare groups, who argue the measures will do little to protect livestock and instead entrench cruelty in law.

Global trends weigh on SA winter grains, oilseeds outlook

South Africa’s winter grain and oilseed producers face a tough road ahead, with the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy projecting weaker prices and tighter margins in the short term.

New mining bill gives free rein for environmental damage

A new mining bill is expected to further ignore environmental concerns and allow unauthorised mining to take place on private property. This will place farmers’ livelihoods and food security at risk.

Stop the double dipping: calls for overhaul of farmer support

A national register of farmers receiving support through development programmes is needed to prevent ‘double dipping’ and ensure a wider group of farmers could access funds.

South Africa’s largest red meat stakeholder survey launched

Participants in South Africa’s red meat value chain, from smallholder communal farmers to large-scale commercial operators, are being urged to participate in the new Red Meat Voice 2025 survey.

Bredasdorp gears up for a bigger Nampo Cape 2025

From 10 to 13 September 2025, Nampo Cape returns to Bredasdorp in the Western Cape, offering visitors a mix of farming innovation, livestock, and grain production.

Mohair trust honours Women’s Month with knitting workshop graduation

The Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) marked this year’s Women’s Month with a special graduation ceremony on 21 August, celebrating 14 women from Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, and Aberdeen who successfully completed the trust’s Beginners Knitting Workshop.

BFAP says adaptation is key to the wine industry’s future

Global wine consumption is at its lowest level since 1961, and last year South Africa recorded its smallest harvest in over two decades. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy says adaptability, innovation, and differentiation will bolster the industry’s resilience.

Hume, five others arrested in high-profile rhino horn trafficking case

South Africa’s Private Rhino Owners’ Association, whose members own most of the country’s white rhinos, has declined to comment on the John Hume case that has recently dominated headlines. It did, however, confirm that Hume was no longer a member.

Higher meat and vegetable prices push food inflation up

Headline consumer inflation climbed to 3,5% in July, up from 3,0% the previous month. This was its highest rate since September 2024, when it was 3,8%, Statistics South Africa reported.

Makataan Chunks crowned SA’s first Preserve Product of the Year

Compagniesdrift’s Makataan Chunks recently won the very first South African Preserve Product of the Year award, announced at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, yesterday.

R2 million bull sold at Mosdene Boran Stud’s first auction

At Mosdene Boran Stud’s first production auction, held on Saturday, 9 August, at Silver Lakes Farm Hotel in Pretoria, Gauteng, Lot 10 (Odysseus E18-138), a Boran bull with a pedigree of legendary sires, sold for R2 million.

Growth of SA’s meat industry at risk without improved biosecurity

The livestock industry has been battered and bruised over the past few years as high feed costs, low consumer spending, and disease outbreaks have narrowed profits. Producers will, however, need to hold steady for at least another year before conditions are likely to improve.

Steenhuisen calls for court martial after SANDF chief backs Iran

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for South African National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya to face a court martial after pledging his military and political support for Iran.

The future of agri lies in collaboration, modernisation and transformation

Local agriculture could overcome many of its challenges by taking a few practical steps, but only if stakeholders united and moved past political agendas and ideologies, agricultural leaders and analysts said at the recent 2025 Agri Western Cape Congress.

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