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.
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.
Organic and natural products present growing market for SA farmers
South African farmers and small business owners across the continent should diversify their offerings and capitalise on growing consumer demand for organic and natural products.
SMMEs and innovation in focus at organic products expo
The importance of agriculture that provides the basis for so many organic and natural products once again stood out at the 2026 Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa. The event took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre earlier this month.
More SA citrus to reach world markets in 2026
South Africa’s citrus industry is set for another strong season this year, with higher export volumes expected. According to Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, harvesting and exports are set to ramp up in the coming weeks.
What lies beneath: insights from a soil scientist
The 2025/26 fruit and wine harvests are drawing to a close after a hot, dry start, heavy rain at peak harvest, and a March heatwave, creating uncertainty across the Western Cape. Karen van der Westhuizen, a soil scientist and irrigation consultant, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the benefits of digging profile holes.
Western Cape livestock farmers to receive R22m in fodder support
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has approved R22 million in risk-reduction relief to provide fodder support to around 1 100 livestock farmers affected by ongoing dry grazing conditions linked to climate variability.
Philippines enjoys first taste of SA’s sweet grapes
Consumers in the Philippines are now enjoying ‘the sweet difference’ from South Africa’s first commercial shipment of table grapes that arrived in that market. Apples and pears from South Africa will follow next as exports to the Philippines.
Fertiliser sharp price increases a major concern for farmers
South Africa’s immediate fertiliser supply is said to be sufficient, but higher diesel prices, as well shipping delays in the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict in the Middle East, will greatly impact farmers across South Africa, according to key industry players.
Foskor halts MAP supply while phosphate supplies run low
Foskor, South Africa’s only vertically integrated producer of phosphate ore and phosphate-based fertilisers, has no mono-ammonium phosphate available, according to an industry source who asked to remain anonymous.
Middle East remains ‘complex, uncertain’ for SA fruit exports
With the conflict-affected Middle Eastern trading environment becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, Farmer’s Weekly spoke to a South African fruit exporter and a Saudi Arabia-based importer about challenges on the ground.
