Farmers bolster Western Cape economy

The agricultural industry’s good performance to wine production which has increased by 41% since last year.
Issue date: 21 November 2008

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The agricultural industry’s good performance to wine production which has increased by 41% since last year. Production of most fruit types also grew by 12,3%, while wheat production volumes were 5,8% higher than last year. P roduction only declined in the meat industry. Arnold Brand, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers Organisation, attributes the drop to drought conditions in certain areas in the province.

“Production has declined by up to 40% in some areas in the Karoo and southern Cape,” he said. He added that the outlook is better for next season if climatic conditions improve. Carl Opperman, CEO of Agri-Wes Cape, said the results bode well for the agricultural industry and the province. With the weakening of the rand and higher production volumes, fruit farmers were able to generate better prices and foreign income by exporting their products. As far as wheat production is concerned, the province is completely self-sufficient, which is good for food security. O pperman said the market is cyclical by nature and that the agricultural industry is currently experiencing an upswing. – Glenneis Erasmus