High visitor numbers for Nampo 2022 after two-year absence

About 73 000 visitors attended Nampo Harvest Day 2022, held from 16 to 20 May, despite negative publicity about strict COVID-19 regulations, high fuel prices, and poor road conditions. This was according to Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.

Mixed reaction to latest interest rate increase announcement

While there is still a positive outlook for South Africa’s agriculture sector, the increase in the South African Reserve Bank’ (SARB) repurchase rate (repo rate), will increase farmers’ debt servicing costs, and will consequently erode profit margins.

Global shipping container congestion set to ease

An end to exporters’ shipping container woes could be in sight as congestion in ports around the world eases.

Dragon fruit industry stabilising amid growth

Dragon fruit production is gaining ground in South Africa as farmers get to grips with production methods and market demand grows.

South Africans set for another fuel price shock in June

While it is still too early to predict what the fuel price increase would be for June, current prices are seriously undervalued, which points to another major price hike.

Nampo 2022 kicks-off on a high note after two-year hiatus

The large number of visitors received on the first day of the 2022 Nampo Harvest Day is a clear indication of the resilience of the South African agricultural value chain, according to Pieter Taljaard, Grain SA CEO.

Agri stakeholders welcome ‘balanced’ agri budget

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (agriculture department) 2022/23 budget is balanced and places emphasis on the importance of commercial agriculture, according to Christo van der Rheede, executive director of Agri SA.

Locust outbreaks in South Africa under control for now

The worst of South Africa’s locust season seems to be over thanks to cooler climatic conditions. According to various reports, only Murraysburg in the Western Cape and areas surrounding Gqeberha and Sutterheim in the Eastern Cape are still fighting small, scattered swarms.

Sixty new bursaries for veterinary science students in SA

In an attempt to address the critical shortage of veterinarians and para-veterinarians in South Africa’s rural areas, 60 new bursaries will be made available to rural learners who would like to pursue careers in these fields.

Below-average rainfall expected for most of SA

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has indicated in its latest seasonal climate watch that below-average rainfall is expected over most parts of the country, except for the central and eastern coastal areas, in May, June and July.

20% of SA farmers expected to exit industry in the next decade

The findings of a new study, which found that 20% of South African farmers will exit the industry within the next decade, is in line with the global norm, according to Jaco Minnaar, president of Agri SA.

Talks between Sundays River Valley workers and farmers deadlocked

The farmworker strike in the Sundays River Valley region is continuing after the parties involved failed to reach an agreement during a meeting in Gqeberha on Thursday (5 May).

Fruit Logistica attendance positive for fruit industry

The recent Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022 exhibition in Germany hosted 40 000 buyers and trade visitors from about 130 countries, as well as 2 000 exhibitors from 87 countries.

Cotton volumes expected to be 13% lower in 2022

While global demand for local cotton is increasing, declining volumes remains a problem in South Africa.

SA heading for third consecutive record diesel price increase

Farmers should prepare to pay a record-breaking R22/l for wholesale diesel from the first week of May, Corné Louw, senior economist at Grain SA has warned.

Concern about livestock vet shortage in South Africa

The shortage of veterinary services in South Africa’s rural areas needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, according to Dr Tlotlo Kgasi, president of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

Sasria reclassifies farming equipment, lowers tariffs

Grain SA has welcomed an announcement by the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) that it has reviewed the classification of agricultural vehicles from an insurance cover perspective.

Lives, property threatened in Sundays River Valley protest

Famers in the Sundays River Valley region of the Eastern Cape are fearing for their lives and those of their farmworkers after a violent protest broke out in the area about a week ago.

Inquiry into fresh produce sector’s competitiveness

The Competition Commission (CompCom) will be conducting an inquiry into South Africa’s fresh produce industry to investigate concerns about issues that may prevent, lessen or distort competition on that market.

‘Invest in the planet’s health with regenerative agriculture’

Using regenerative agriculture principles in their farming operations is the biggest investment South African farmers can make in the health of the planet.

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