South Africa

An outbreak of the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) has been reported in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, according to Roger Price, research team manager at the Agricultural Research Council, and Dr Godfrey Kgatle, research co-ordinator at Grain SA. The African armyworm feeds predominantly on grasses, but may also feed on grains, such as maize and millet.

In a first for democratic South Africa, the national budget speech was cancelled moments after it was due to be tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday 19 February.

Magic, a buffalo bull with 56-inch horns, was recently sold for R22 million at the Piet du Toit Wildlife Auction in North West. The bull was sold to four buyers.

Minister John Steenhuisen of the Department of Agriculture called a media briefing at Parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday to address what he said was ‘misinformation being peddled by certain parties’.

With Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana set to deliver the Budget Speech 2025 on 19 February, Christo Conradie, stakeholder engagement, market access and policy manager at South Africa Wine, said he hoped government would announce plans to strengthen and build on the momentum gained in restoring infrastructure.

Over the past few years, the broader South African agriculture sector has been disappointed by the National Budget, according to Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.

Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer hopes the Budget Speechwill drive economic growth but says agriculture is often overlooked. He urges VAT exemption for sorghum to support the industry.

This year’s Budget Speech comes on the heels of the finalisation of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry, which contains a host of recommendations to improve transformation, supply and cost of fresh produce in South Africa.

With the Budget Speech set to be delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 19 February, the Health Promotion Levy, or sugar tax, and sugar cane master plan have again come under the spotlight.

Despite years of engagement with authorities, many roads in Limpopo still remain in disrepair. This was according to Deidre Carter, CEO of Agri Limpopo.

The imbalances in the South African economy must be addressed as a matter of urgency, and particularly so in the agriculture sector, according to John Steenhuisen, minister of the Department of Agriculture.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 highlighted key interventions aimed at strengthening South Africa's agriculture sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Expropriation Bill into law, concluding a five-year process. The amended Expropriation Act has sparked widespread debate, with some strongly opposing it while others view it more favourably.

Apple and pear exports are expected to increase this year on the back of new orchards coming into production, improved varieties and favourable weather.

South African households spend roughly R76 out of every R100 on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, food and non-alcoholic beverages, transportation and insurance, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in its latest insights report into household income and expenditure, ‘Income and Expenditure Survey of Households 2022/2023’.

From 1 April this year, consumers will be paying more for electricity, thanks to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) recently granting Eskom permission to hike prices by 12,74%.

Farmer’s Weekly asked leading agricultural role players about their expectations for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 6 February, as well as their views on government's progress in delivering on promises made during SONA 2024.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cut interest rates by 25 basis points, taking the repo rate down to 7,5% and the prime lending rate down to 11%.

The current fly outbreak in Gauteng is not an isolated incident, and outbreaks have been reported across all parts of South Africa, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.

Nonceba Kontsiwe, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture, called on farmers to expand their operations and venture into the entire red meat value chain to make a meaningful impact on the economy.