South Africa

The ongoing implementation of Rainbow Chicken Limited’s growth strategy, combined with strong demand for chicken, lower input costs, and a strengthening rand against the US dollar, boosted the company’s financial performance for the second half of 2025.

Delivering his report at the 2026 Grain SA Congress at Nampo Park in Bothaville earlier this week, newly re-elected Grain SA chairperson Richard Krige said players need to roll up their sleeves and work together to thrive in the current agricultural landscape.

South Africa’s agribusiness confidence has fallen to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2024, weighed down by the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

The macadamia industry is cautiously optimistic as new markets and reduced tariffs bode well for demand this year. Prices released this week reflect a maturing market, moving away from the sharp swings seen over the past decade.

The 2026 International Conference on Business Models in Agriculture, held from 8 to 10 March in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, brought researchers, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and development practitioners together to examine how innovative business models can strengthen food systems and promote inclusive economic growth.

Addressing more than 250 grain farmers at the 2026 Grain SA Congress at Nampo Park in Bothaville on 11 to 12 March, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said it was a privilege to engage with those producing the staple crops that sustain South Africa.

Private companies and industry organisations are helping to accelerate the delivery of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines across South Africa, enabling faster rollout in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal as authorities work to contain outbreaks.

As previously reported by Farmer’s Weekly, a strategic partnership between the Bjatladi Communal Property Association, which holds the title to Zebediela Citrus Estate for the community, and Women Investment Portfolio Holdings aims to revive the once-renowned estate after years of neglect.

South Africa’s agricultural sector was one of the strongest contributors to the country’s economic growth in 2025, according to Statistics South Africa.

The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) has appointed Jabu Mphambo as acting CEO, effective 9 February, following Themba Rikhotso’s resignation earlier this year.

Refrigerated vehicles funded by industry partners are transporting thousands of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines to veterinary clinics serving KwaZulu-Natal’s high-risk dairy district, helping ensure rapid vaccination while maintaining the critical cold chain.

Dole South Africa and the Mahela Group recently announced that they are entering a joint 50% shareholding partnership in Letaba Pakkers. This transaction brings together two significant and established role players in the subtropical fruit industry.

The South African avocado industry entered its main harvesting season in March and is expecting a significantly larger crop, but stronger competition from Peru in key export markets is likely to temper optimism.

South Africa is expected to exit the 2025/26 La Niña phase in April, moving towards neutral ocean and atmospheric conditions. Meteorologists say this shift may stabilise rainfall patterns, while agricultural economists.

In the middle of South Africa’s escalating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis, a consignment of 1,5 million urgently needed vaccine doses had already been in the country. However, the vaccines are not yet in the system meant to get them to farmers, exposing a gap between government assurances and the operational reality of the national vaccination roll-out.

South Africa’s pork industry is beginning to see tangible progress in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF), with new regulatory amendments, vaccine roll-outs and additional abattoir approvals helping to stabilise the sector.

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture rolled out foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccinations in high-risk areas last week, but organised agriculture has warned that the current supply will not be enough to contain the disease if the outbreak continues.

While industrial hemp offers a potential R660 billion opportunity for South Africa, experts warn that commercial success depends on more than just planting.

The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) has announced that the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show will now be held from 8 to 11 October, a change made to protect livestock producers, exhibitors, and the long-term integrity of the event amid ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) concerns.

RCL Foods has reported sharply lower interim earnings for the six months ended 31 December 2025, as mounting pressure in its sugar division, combined with subdued consumer demand, weighed on overall performance.