Although the world economy remains uncertain, global food supply and demand are favourable, so farmers can expect product prices at current or higher levels in the coming year.
Farmers are under continuous pressure to farm more efficiently and to save money. Unfortunately, there are right and wrong ways of going about it
Changing market dynamics provides good opportunities for South African farmers.
The world food outlook for the next decade is positive. South African farmers will be able to share in this, provided they're allowed and encouraged to do so.
Primary production is the least profitable sector in a value chain, and the farmer's share of the consumer rand is shrinking. But farmers can share in the profit made upstream...
South Africa's 30 000 commercial farmers provide affordable food, earn foreign currency and contribute massively to the national economy. Despite this, they regularly face threats to their survival.issue date: 19...
South African maize producers are too efficient for their own good!
South Africa's commercial farmers can help contribute to food security in Sub-Saharan Africa where half the population faces starvation.
The Doha Round will, in time, result in more freedom for the international market. This will reduce South African agriculture's competition with highly subsidised countries, but also remove a lot...
The new Consumer Protection Act gives consumers a lot of power. Since farmers share the responsibility for product quality, they need to stick to good agricultural practices - or risk...
Finance minister Pravin Gordhan has managed to balance income and expectations with his first budget, albeit without mentioning agriculture.
'While prospects have greatly improved, farmers must take the advice of the liquor adverts and “enjoy the better times responsibly”.'
'The percentage spent on grain decreases with an increase in income and the percentage spent on dairy products increases.'
'Joint action between farmers, agribusinesses and government is urgently needed to protect and improve our global competitiveness.'
'There is still a lot of misunderstanding about the proper way to use baseline projections in future planning.'
'The outlook for agricultural product prices remains good; there is little sign of a downturn in demand ...'
'Livestock producers will face higher feed costs, [but] fortunately the higher feed prices will result in higher US and world prices for livestock products.'
'A decrease in import tariffs will only result in lower consumer prices in a perfectly competitive market.'
'There is a lot of money to be made in agriculture - most of it lands in the pockets of agribusinesses while the farmers' share decreases.' Issue date 15 June...
'In the absence of a controlled market, farmers are responsible for their own marketing decisions.'
