Tough season ahead for apple, pear growers
The South African Apple & Pear Producers’ Organisation anticipates that this year’s pome fruit season is going to be a very challenging one for producers.
Drought tightens its grip
The effect of the drought on agriculture is intensifying on an almost daily basis. It’s already caused production to decline by more than 42%, according to an analysis done by the Western Cape government.
Potato price highest on record
Industry association Potatoes South Africa (PSA) reports that potatoes reached a record price of R60 per 10kg on 19 January – the highest average weekly price on record for potatoes.
SA agricultural machinery industry ‘to fight for its future’
National tractor and combine harvester sales for the 2015 calendar year were respectively 12,2% and 36,6% down on sales of the 2014 calendar year.
White maize price at a 20-year high
The white maize price reached R5 020/t on 16 January 2015, the highest level achieved since trading in white maize started in 1996.
SA can’t afford to declare drought a national disaster – Steyn
To avoid an economic and humanitarian disaster government needs to take urgent action and declare a national disaster.
Farm attacks on the rise in the Free State
According to statistics released by Free State Agriculture’s Safety Desk, 79 farm attacks took place in the province in 2015, compared to 36 in 2013 and 52 in 2014.
Agri SA takes over management of Drought Disaster Fund
Agri SA will be taking over management of the Drought Disaster Fund which was originally initiated by Senwes in association with Agri SA.
Almost half of the world’s farmers have no bank account
According to a World Bank global financial development report, nearly half of the world’s farmers do not have a bank account or do not use of mobile money platforms.
Resistance to Colistin discovered in SA poultry
A national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programme has reportedly identified and confirmed the first ever known case in South Africa of resistance to Colistin.
South Africa could still lose its AGOA benefits
SA runs the risk of losing its duty-free benefits for goods exported to the US as part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Maize plantings down by half
The planting window for maize in the summer production areas has expired, with only about 50% of the four million hectares earmarked for maize production planted.
AGOA breakthrough
The Department of Trade And Industry’s (DTI) Twitter account buzzed last night (7 January) with news that an agreement has been reached between South Africa and the US on AGOA.
Giant olives are a mouthful
Olives the size of small plums were recently introduced to industry role players in Cape Town by the Consortium for the Protection of La Bella della Daunia PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) table olives.
Investec sponsors trip to Israel for agri-entrepreneurs
Specialist bank Investec has invited up-and-coming agricultural entrepreneurs to submit applications to qualify for a one-week trip to Israel from 14 to 21 March 2016.
Don’t lower food safety standards – SAPA
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) said it welcomed the participation of the US poultry industry in the local market through the import of chicken.
Zambia wants farmers to diversify
The government of Zambia has encouraged farmers to diversify their farming operations in an attempt to cope with the effects and risks of climate change.
Practical livestock production diploma offered part-time
An initiative by the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) has resulted in a practical-orientated part-time course towards a National Diploma in Livestock Production (NDLP) becoming available to prospective farmers.
South Africa’s first litchi exports to the US ‘a success story’
South Africa recently exported its first consignment of litchis to the US.
AGOA under threat – again
Minister of trade and industry Rob Davies today told journalists at a press meeting that agricultural goods such as citrus, macadamia, canned fruit, wine and avocadoes may be subject to exclusion from AGOA if an agreement is not reached between the US and SA.
