Correct fresh produce packaging could aid growth
South African farmers “need to take a serious look at the sustainability and recyclability of their fresh produce packaging if they want to take advantage of emerging market opportunities around the world”.
‘Lower fuel prices welcomed, but could increase again shortly’
The drop in South Africa’s fuel prices, which came into effect on Wednesday (4 January), is a positive development that will lower agricultural production costs.
Farm sales in South Africa looking bullish
A total of 3 864 farms were sold in South Africa between January and October 2022, a significant increase from the 3 133 over the same period in 2021, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.
Table grape volumes expected to decline
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) expects volumes of table grapes for exporting to decrease by almost 8% in the 2022/23 season, down from the previous season’s 77,7 million 4,5kg-equivalent cartons to about 71,7 million.
Consumer health trends positive for SA olives
Consumers’ focus on healthy living was helping to drive growing global demand for olive oil, according to Vittoria Jooste, CEO of the South African Olive Association.
New hopes and challenges for SA wool value chain
This year has been the South African wool industry’s most challenging time in two-and-a-half decades, according to Leon de Beer, general manager of the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA).
Expectations for game ranching industry in 2023
The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on South Africa’s game ranching industry will be considerably lower in 2023 than during the past two years.
Hopes for poultry sector growth, despite challenges
Significant investments in South Africa’s poultry sector are expected to accelerate its transformation, thereby creating a significant number of jobs.
Agri role players share New Year’s resolutions for 2023
The best New Year's resolution for farmers and agribusiness leaders is to focus on self-improvement, as this will lead to greater wisdom and problem-solving skills.
Agri department issues rabies alert for the Festive Season
A warning has been issued for members of the public to be on high alert for incidences of rabies in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the area on the border between the Free State and Lesotho.
Initiative to address South Africa’s failing rural roads welcomed
Agri SA welcomed the initiative taken by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) in convening a meeting between stakeholders in an attempt to fix the country’s dilapidated rural road infrastructure.
High meat inflation makes for expensive festive season
As South Africans entered the festive season, meat inflation reached its highest level in 14 months at 10,5% year-on-year, making this a “very expensive braai season”, according to Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Agri-Business.
Joint venture aims to improve Eastern Cape veld goat industry
Twenty-one indigenous veld goats were delivered to the AmaBhele kaJamangile Kingdom in the Maclear area of the Eastern Cape on Wednesday (13 December), as part of a joint venture between Chief Zwelothando Mabandla, AfriForum and the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI).
Tough season strains SA’s citrus export growth
Members of the citrus industry have expressed concern about the 2023 export season, after producers failed to meet export targets for 2022.
First global study on the effects of livestock grazing
The first-ever global assessment of the impact of livestock grazing, in which the University of Pretoria participated, has revealed the important role gazing plays in the ecology of dryland regions.
Agri confidence declines, despite positive GDP contribution
South Africa’s agriculture sector has bounced back to again be among the largest contributors to quarter-on-quarter (q/q) GDP growth in the third quarter of 2022.
French fry import tariffs remain a ‘hot potato’ – stakeholders
Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) has rejected recent claims that the implementation of import tariffs on French fries was driving up food prices and threatening food security in South Africa.
Celebrating the vital role of healthy soils in food security
This year, World Soil Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems by addressing the growing challenges faced in soil management.
‘Political infighting is hindering agri investment and job creation’
Politicians’ actions in South Africa are threatening food security in the only country on the continent that is self-sufficient in food production. This was according to Chris Schutte, CEO of Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest integrated poultry company.
Diesel price to drop in December but petrol price hike looms
Good and bad news awaits South African motorists in December with petrol prices expected to rise, offsetting an expected sharp drop in diesel prices.
