Clayton Swart
Clayton Swart is a journalist, editor and communications manager with experience across South Africa and Europe, travelling extensively to major international trade shows. He has written for leading news publishers and global agriculture media, specialising in storytelling that connects people worldwide.
Rooibos seeds to make historic journey to International Space Station
A small batch of rooibos seeds from the Cederberg is set to embark on an extraordinary journey later this year, travelling thousands of kilometres from South Africa, via the United States, to the International Space Station (ISS) and back to local soil.
How a young auctioneer is finding his rhythm
Fiso Hadebe is an upcoming auctioneer. He represented South Africa and Africa at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship held in Calgary, Canada, last July, where he placed between 22nd and 25th out of 40 international participants.
New HPAI vaccination policy requires stricter surveillance
While the Department of Agriculture is preparing to roll out its new vaccination strategy against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), industry experts say its success will depend on rigorous surveillance to detect and monitor the virus.
Spaza shops present huge untapped market for agriculture
The spaza shops in South Africa and its township economy present the agriculture industry with a huge untapped market worth hundreds of billions of rands each year.
Cape Town port shows operational improvements despite poor global ranking
Transnet and the Western Cape Government have said that targeted operational interventions and stronger collaboration are beginning to yield results at the Port of Cape Town, even though it was placed last in the latest global port rankings.
Young farmers push for real reform at Stellenbosch round-table discussion
At a Department of Agriculture Youth Day round-table held at the Agricultural Research Council’s Nietvoorbij campus in Stellenbosch on 17 June, young farmers called for urgent, practical reforms to improve access to finance, land, and markets, warning that inaction is eroding confidence in the sector.
Western Cape braces for extended recovery after severe weather
The Western Cape faces a long road to recovery following multiple storm systems and flooding that hit the province during May, says Premier Alan Winde.
SA–Italy agri pact targets Africa expansion and EU market access
South Africa and Italy have used this week’s inaugural South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum in Cape Town to reposition their relationship from a largely trade-based one to a more strategic partnership centred on value addition, technology, and joint expansion into new markets.
SA poultry industry to save billions with new HPAI vaccination policy
The South African Poultry Association has welcomed Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen’s recent decision to amend the Animal Diseases Regulations (R.2026 of 1986) to allow the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccinations in South Africa.
Amended Chinese import protocols a ‘lifeline’ for South African citrus
China’s recent tariff-free market access and amended protocols on citrus fruit shipments from South Africa are expected to be a game-changer for the local industry.
World Milk Day highlights women’s growing role in a changing dairy industry
As South Africa’s dairy industry marks World Milk Day on 1 June, the experiences of women across the value chain reflect an industry under increasing pressure as producers and processors navigate rising costs, climate variability, and shifting consumer demand.
Western Cape farmers describe May floods as ‘worst in a century’
Flooding across much of the Western Cape in May has been described by some producers as the worst in 100 years, with record 24-hour rainfall for the period reported across the province, affecting all districts.
Billions lost as storms lash Western Cape farming areas
The intense storms that hit the Western Cape earlier this month caused “billions of rands” in damage to the province’s agriculture sector, according to provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer, with power outages now threatening fruit exports and processing.
Biosecurity, exports, farmer support: key pillars in SA’s agri budget
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Rosemary Nokuzola Capa tabled the R7,8 billion Agriculture Budget Vote 29 for 2026/27 in Parliament in Cape Town on 15 May, with biosecurity spending prioritising foot-and-mouth disease control and vaccine rollout.
Hot weather, hailstorm lead to decline in 2025/26 canning fruit intake
South Africa’s 2025/26 canning fruit intake declined across all major categories due to hot weather, a February hailstorm, and limited intake by Langeberg Foods, according to Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association.
Severe cold front leads to flooding and damage on Western Cape farms
An intense cold front, accompanied by an Orange Level 8 warning from the South African Weather Service, caused widespread damage in some Western Cape farming areas over the past few days.
Fruit export triangle from South Africa to Morocco and back
Starting a new business is most often done closer to home. Stephanie De Wit did it the other way around. She started her fruit export company, Agri Bianco, in Morocco. Six years later she has come full circle by opening a South African office, and shares the lessons and experiences locally that shaped her to start a new venture in a foreign country and culture.
From a tough start to a premium rooibos brand
Establishing a rooibos farm is difficult and expensive, says Kelly Petersen, co-owner of CUCU Rooibos and an exhibitor at the 2026 Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa. She spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about building the Wakkerloop farm she owns with her husband, Justin.
‘Time to name and shame those who break FMD rules’ – Steenhuisen
As the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine rollout begins to yield positive results, an outbreak at a recent livestock auction in the Free State has drawn criticism from Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.
SA’s world champion sheep shearers recognised on home soil
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen recently recognised South Africa’s world champion wool shearing team, Bonile Rabela and Teboho Nyatsa, for winning gold and silver, respectively, at the Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships held in Masterton, New Zealand, in March.
