Potato prices jumped by 70% in June

The strong year-on-year price increase for potatoes during June was driven, in part, by the decrease in stock levels due to excessive rain and low summer temperatures in some of the planting regions earlier this year.

Farming sector braces for double digit fuel price increase

The expected increase in the fuel price for July will have a negative impact on a number of value chains in the agriculture sector that are currently active, such as producers completing the harvesting and planting processes for summer and winter grains, as well as oilseeds.

Ban on auctions and liquor sales ‘unacceptable’ – Agri SA

Despite physical livestock auctions being prohibited under South Africa’s adjusted Level 4 lockdown regulations, some auction houses still held auctions on Monday, 28 June and Tuesday, 29 June.

More lucrative markets needed for SA guavas

Guava production in the northern regions of South Africa has more than halved over the past decade due to the devastating impact of guava wilt disease.

Farmers want clarity on hunting and auctions under Level 4

The agriculture sector needs clarity, as a matter of urgency, on a clause in the Level 4 lockdown regulations announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 27 June, that says “gatherings at auctions are not permitted”.

South Africa’s food inflation at four-year high

In May, South Africa’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) headline inflation reached the highest level since November 2018 and food price inflation rose to its highest point since July 2017.

Ten-fold increase in Free State wildfires so far this year

More than 42 000ha have so far been lost to veld fires in the Free State this year, compared with just under 3 900ha during the same period in 2020.

Call to classify agri sector as COVID-19 vaccine priority

Agri SA wants agriculture to be classified as a COVID-19 vaccination priority to enable workers in the sector to become vaccinated as soon as possible.

South Africa’s 2021 maize harvest nears halfway mark

South Africa’s summer grain harvesting is progressing well in the 2021/2022 marketing season, with maize harvesting in particular being completed at a much faster rate than at the same time last year.

New Grain SA CEO wants to focus on technology, relationships

Grain SA’s newly appointed CEO, Dr Pieter Taljaard, plans to help all grain farmers utilise technology in growing their businesses, while fostering good relationships within the value chain.

Global container shortages eroding citrus exporters’ profits

South Africa’s citrus industry is currently under economic pressure due to the global shortage of shipping containers, primarily as a result of COVID-19-related trade restrictions.

SA agribusiness confidence at its highest level on record

The recently released record-high Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index figures provide agricultural producers with the opportunity to reinvest in their farming concerns and address their debt structures.

SA on track to harvest record soya bean crop

The current spike in soya bean production is good news for South Africa since it will mean that significantly less of the commodity will need to be imported.

Call to reopen abattoirs in KwaZulu-Natal

More than 3 000 head of livestock have already been tested for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal after the outbreak of the disease in the Mtubatuba area of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality in May.

‘Clover factory closure no shock for dairy farmers’

The Ditsobotla Local Municipality cannot afford to allow Clover to close and relocate its operations as this will have a devastating effect on over 300 families, according to the Premier of North West, Job Mokgoro.

‘Downturn in agri GDP contribution a temporary blip’

Despite an increase in South Africa’s GDP of 1,1%, translating into an annualised growth rate of 4,6%, in the first quarter of this year, the agriculture sector saw a downturn in GDP contribution to -3,2% (seasonally adjusted and annualised), according to Statistics South Africa.

Rooibos farmers hopeful origin-status will lift weak prices

Despite farm-gate prices for rooibos currently being under pressure, farmers have expressed optimism about the EU’s acknowledgment of South Africa as the designation of origin of rooibos.

Former officials charged with fraud in Estina dairy case

The DA will not rest until politicians are held accountable alongside officials for their involvement in the failed Estina dairy farm project near Vrede in the Free State.

EFF’s and ANC’s new proposals on land met with scepticism

Several farmers’ organisations have voiced grave concern about controversial additional proposals regarding the expropriation of land without compensation that have been presented to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution.

2021 Nampo Harvest Day cancelled

The 2021 Nampo Harvest Day scheduled for August this year has been cancelled. In 2020, the event that was to be held in May that year was also cancelled, and the decision was then taken to reschedule this year’s Nampo Harvest Day to August.

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