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.
Authorities still counting the cost of flood damage in KZN
The extensive flood damage to infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal following the recent torrential rain is a severe blow for the province’s agricultural industry.
‘A mammoth task to inoculate 14 million cattle across South Africa’
It was clear that the attendees at the foot-and-mouth disease information day held recently in Bothaville realised the crisis that had resulted from the widespread outbreaks of the disease, said Dr John Purchase, former CEO of Agbiz and facilitator of the event.
Heavy fuel load could result in ‘extreme fire season’ for SA
With the winter fire season getting underway in South Africa, Agri SA has warned its members to prepare for a more destructive fire season than normal.
Flood-ravaged KwaZulu-Natal braces for more heavy rainfall
More rain is expected over the flood-ravaged coastline of KwaZulu-Natal from Friday (15 April) to Wednesday (20 April).
Water rights litigation creates uncertainty for SA farmers
The recent Constitutional Court decision on the transferability and trading of water rights will create uncertainty and erode investor confidence in the agricultural sector, stakeholders have said.
SA citrus exports set to increase despite ongoing challenges
For the first time since South Africa’s single-channel marketing system for agricultural commodities was abolished in the 1990s, citrus fruit was exported from the Port of Maputo in Mozambique on Monday, 11 April.
No end in sight for logistical problems at Port of Cape Town
Stakeholders in the fruit and wine industries are doing everything in their power to address logistical challenges and bottlenecks at South Africa’s ports, specifically the Port of Cape Town, with the situation currently being exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Free State FMD case sparks concern among livestock farmers
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, confirmed in the Viljoenskroon area of the Free State, is a localised, exceptional event, and with the co-operation of all stakeholders the situation can be brought under control soon.
Agri sector calls for immediate action to repair poor roads
South Africa’s road infrastructure is critical to the success of the agriculture sector, because commodities valued at about R7,1 billion per annum are transported along these roads.
