In this episode of AgriView with Wandile, Wandile Sihlobo unpacks what the latest employment numbers tell us about the strength of the sector, while also examining concerns around labour availability amid the ongoing immigration debate.
He looks at where the strongest employment activity is coming from, including horticulture, field crops and the broader agricultural value chain. Wandile also considers the factors supporting agriculture’s performance, from strong harvests and favourable rainfall to lower grain prices benefiting livestock and poultry producers, while highlighting the continued challenges facing the sector.
As agriculture looks towards 2027, he discusses the key risks to employment and production, including rising input costs linked to geopolitical tensions and the possibility of below-normal rainfall associated with El Niño. Despite these risks, the outlook for agricultural employment remains robust.
