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‘Fruit and vegetable farmers must demand refunds’

Fruit and vegetable farmers who paid Product Control for Agriculture (Procon) for inspection services since 2017 should demand a refund. This was according to BJ van Zyl, director of ZZ2 and chairperson of the Tomato Producers’ Organisation (TPO).

SA’s agri exports up 30% for first six months of 2021

In the first half of 2021, South Africa’s agricultural exports amounted to about R90,49 billion, which is a 30% year-on-year increase, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz.

‘Limited data is stunting organic fruit farming’

A lack of relevant farming information is keeping South African fruit farmers from capitalising on the growing global demand for organic fruit, according to Hein Coetzee, CEO of TopFruit.

Decline in stock theft prevents R100 million in losses

This year, South Africa has seen a decline in livestock theft across all provinces for the first time, which has resulted in a cumulative ‘saving’ of about R100 million for the period.

KZN farmers donate food aid despite suffering hardship

The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) and Agri SA have distributed food donations to the value of more than R5 million in an attempt to return order and stability to the deep rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) following last month’s civil unrest.

Farmers told to prepare for delays in fertiliser deliveries

The cyber-attack on Transnet’s IT systems, along with the destruction caused by the recent civil unrest, could severely affect the availability of fertiliser for the current cropping season, according to Dr Pieter Haumann, CEO of the Fertilizer Association of South Africa (Fertasa).

Cold weather heightens threat of fires and livestock losses

Apart from possible livestock losses, the widespread cold weather experienced across South Africa has also increased the risk of wildfires.

Two million chickens stolen from farms during looting

During the recent riots in KwaZulu-Natal, looters stormed 10 farms and stole about two million birds. This was according to Izaak Breytenbach, general manager of the Broiler Organisation of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA).

Transnet cyber-attack blocks SA’s agricultural exports

Disruptions in Transnet’s IT applications following a cyber-attack has brought agricultural imports and exports to a standstill, according to role players in the industry.

Beefmaster bull sold for SA record of R1,1 million

A new South African record was set by the Bos Blanco Beefmaster stud when it sold the bull BOS 166 103 to Chris van Heerden of Gamtouw Farming near Bronkhorstspruit for R1,1 million.

Food and fuel supply situation in KZN ‘dire’, says Kwanalu

It’s too early to have a clear indication of the damage to agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as a result of the recent riots in the province, but Sandy La Marque, CEO of the KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu), estimates the losses to be in the billions of rand.