South Africa

Get the latest agricultural and farming news from South Africa.

Meat report a wake-up call

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) describes the recent report by the Stellenbosch University of false labeling of processed meat products “a timely wake-up call that we cannot afford to be complacent on when it comes to compliance with food labelling standards”.

Agriculture’s response to the National Budget

The Agriculture Business Chamber (Agbiz) welcomed the “rather bold” 2013/2014 National Budget presented by Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan yesterday.

“Tighten your belts” – finance minister

A substantial loss in state income due to last year’s economic turbulence was the overriding theme for this year’s budget speech.

Farmers reeling from two-month pork strike

After nearly two months, a strike at KZN pork processor Frey’s Meats processing plant in Cato Ridge is over. But not before it inflicted serious harm on pig farmers.

SA consumers are also being cheated with meat products – new study

In the wake of the EU horse meat scandal, a new study by Dr Donna-Maree Cawthorn and Prof Louw Hoffman of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Animal Sciences, in conjunction with Harris Steinman of the Food & Allergy Consulting & Testing Services in Milnerton, in the Western Cape, has revealed there’s a number of ‘fraudulent’ meat products on the SA market.

No end yet for African horse sickness

Although the current outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) is not over yet and additional cases could be confirmed in the months ahead, there are encouraging signs that the situation in the worst hit areas in the Eastern Cape is stabilising.

KZN SAPS arrests nine suspects for poaching

After pulling over and inspecting a suspicious-looking vehicle recently, two SAPS officers patrolling the KwaMagwaza area of KwaZulu-Natal were surprised to discover that it contained nine people, four antelope carcasses, an axe, two shotguns, ten live shotgun rounds and a pistol with a magazine with two live rounds.

Hundreds of millions of rand lost yearly due to stock theft

Stock theft cost South Africa’s farmers hundreds of millions of rand last year and many Eastern Cape stock farmers believe they are losing the battle against stock thieves.

Focussing on Africa’s potential

Fairtrade in South Africa has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years and the annual Fairtrade Week currently taking place is set to further increase Fairtrade awareness among local consumers and boost sales.

Tiny bubbles, big business in sparkling wine

Local wine sales have not kept up with the growth in wine exports from SA and, with the industry optimistic about further export growth and the penetration of new markets in 2013, it’s likely that local sales will continue to lag behind.

Markets react to drought in central regions

The impact of the drought in SA’s central grain-producing areas is gaining momentum and is already being reflected in a sharp increase in maize prices.

Zuma’s speech disappoints

Agricultural leaders are sceptical that President Jacob Zuma’s plans to speed up land reform and re-open land claims, in order to accommodate pre-June 1913 claims by Khoi and San descendents, will get financial backing from treasury.

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