South African cane farmers welcome delay in sugar tax increase
The South African Cane Growers’ Association (SA Canegrowers) has welcomed the recent announcement of a 12-month delay in the increasing of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) from 2,21c/g to 2,31c/g of sugar that exceeds 4g/100ml in sugary beverages, but said the tax should rather be “scrapped altogether”.
Wet weather expected to continue across SA in the medium term
The present rainy conditions over most of South Africa can be expected to continue until May, with a dry spell expected from about June to November, particularly over the central to western parts of the country.
‘Short-term fuel price relief welcomed, but challenges remain’
There has been guarded optimism from stakeholders in the South African agriculture industry following government’s decision to reduce the basic fuel levy by R1,50/l for the next two months, while more permanent interventions were being put in place.
FMD outbreaks ‘could ruin SA’s red meat industry’
South African livestock producers who are unwilling to implement sustainable and thorough biosecurity measures on their farms are irresponsible, according to James Faber, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.
Agri sector job creation lauded amid increasing cost pressure
The growing importance of the agriculture sector as an employer in South Africa has again been reiterated by Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) employment figures for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021.
‘SA is sitting on a water-pollution time bomb’
South Africa is sitting on a time bomb as far the contamination of its water resources, and groundwater in particular, is concerned. This was according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.
Interest rate hike could stunt growth of SA’s agri sector
The announcement by the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday, 24 March that the repo rate is increasing by 25 basis points to 4,25%, has been met with concern by agriculture sector stakeholders.
SA wine exports to African countries on the rise
Wine producers looking to expand their export footprint over the next three years should look at countries elsewhere in Africa, where tourism is booming.
Harmful algal blooms in dams pose serious risk for livestock
Farmers have been warned to be on the lookout for cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies, which can be lethal for both humans and animals, and are currently very prevalent.
First foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in North West confirmed
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) should be regarded as a real and present danger on any farm at the moment.
‘Stronger rand could lessen April fuel price shock’ – analysts
A strengthening rand and a drop in international crude oil prices could buffer South Africans against the predicted sharp increase in fuel prices planned for April.
Garlic woes return after COVID-19 demand spike
The garlic industry’s troubles have returned after a brief glimmer of hope during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Lack of rail transport squeezes fertiliser prices
According to industry experts, South Africa’s fertiliser prices are the third-highest in the world, with one of the most important contributing factors being the fact that this input is no longer transported by rail.
SA’s agribusiness confidence remains positive despite challenges
Excessive rainfall at the start of the planting season, higher input costs, logistical challenges and geopolitical tensions in Europe are taking their toll on agribusiness confidence, according to the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) released on Tuesday, 15 March.
‘Alarming upswing in green maize theft threatens food security’
The theft of green maize cobs in the Free State has escalated to such an extent that food security in the province is under threat.
Agriculture’s 2021 fourth quarter GDP results lauded
The agriculture sector’s contribution to South Africa’s fourth quarter GDP figures could have been even higher if it was able to expand meat exports, according to Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO).
Urgent financial support needed to fight Northern Cape locusts
Agri Northern Cape is appealing for financial support of its aerial locust extermination team to prevent the brown locust swarms currently prevalent across the Northern Cape reaching the crop production areas along the Vaal and Orange rivers, the Free State, and North West.
No solutions for leopard predation in Limpopo
Farmers in Limpopo are plagued by leopards that prey on their livestock. But solutions to the problem are few and far between, as the only control method appears to be shooting the predators.
Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupts global food supply chains
The fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war is expected to have a serious impact on the cost of production and distribution of food around the globe, and ultimately the consumer.
Agri shows to return to local calendar this year
Grain SA is going ahead with arrangements for the 2022 Nampo Harvest Day while it awaits the outcome of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s undertaking to lift the state of emergency, instituted in 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
