Agribusiness confidence for Q1 2024 dimmed by bad weather and a plethora of challenges[Paul Makube] The latest results of the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index survey still showed a subdued mood among agribusiness as widely expected given the negative turn on the weather front that slashed harvest prospects for the 2023/24 summer crop season... | |
Food inflation decelerates to a 25-month lowImage source: Kampus Production from Pexels | |
#IFPA: SA's logistics crisis takes precedence over energy issues, says SAFFE director[Aa-isha Hassiem] “Things in the logistics system are broken and in desperate need of fixing," says Mike Walwyn, director of South African Freight Forwarders (SAFFE)... | |
A big surprise as agriculture GDP plunges in the second half of 2023[Paul Makube] Despite massive challenges, South Africa’s economy managed to expand by 0.6% in 2023... | |
Adverse weather dampens crops outlook for 2023/24 production season[Paul Makube] Following a relatively good start to the 2023/24 crop season with good rains which saw farmers increasing their planted area for summer crops, the weather turned negative with limited follow-up rains coupled with excessive heat early in 2024.... | |
#BizTrends2024: Trends shaping the future of the global wine industry in 2024[Rico Basson] Rico Basson, CEO of South Africa Wine, unveils the 2024 trends reshaping the global wine industry. From health-conscious choices to geopolitical uncertainties, climate impacts, and technological strides... | |
Biosecurity in South Africa: A perfect storm?[John Hudson] Commercial agriculture, while essential for ensuring food security for a burgeoning population, poses many challenges... | |
30 years into democracy: How has South Africa's agricultural sector performed?[Wandile Sihlobo] There are divergent views about the effectiveness and extent to which South Africa's agricultural policies have been implemented... | |
#BizTrends2024: Unpacking the agriculture market's 2023 performance and forecasting 2024[Paul Makube] Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB takes a look at the highs and lows of South Africa agriculture and unpacks the challenges, triumps, and future outlook... | |
The critical role of biosecurity in protecting SA's agriculture sector[Paul Makube] Biosecurity is essentially an integrated system in which all stakeholders in the sector should participate to protect against the spread of infectious diseases to crops, livestock, and poultry... | |
Headline inflation cools but food remains sticky on the upside[Paul Makube] A breather for consumers as headline inflation cools to 5.5% year-on-year in November 2023 after rebounding strongly in October 2023 to 5.9% year-on-year... | |
Sprightly Seed and Bel Porto School bring food security to Cape Town with community market gardenImage supplied | |
Q3 2023 sees stealthy 4% jump in agriculture export earningsSource: onlyyouqj via Freepik | |
#AAII23: Discussing the importance of investing in women-led agribusinesses[Aa-isha Hassiem] Susan Payne, COO of Sustainable Planet, and Fuzlin Levy-Hassen, CIO of Glide Capital Partners explore the way in which women are underrepresented in the workplace, their lack of access to funding and the concept of gender lens investing... | |
Food inflation accelerates as fruit and vegetable costs jump in October[Paul Makube] South Africa’s headline inflation quickened more than expectations and edged closer to the upper end of the Sarb’s target range of 3% to 6%, coming in at 5.9% year-on-year in October, from 5.4% year-on-year in September 2023... | |
Agriculture sector defies odds with 10% year-on-year job growth in Q3 2023[Paul Makube] The latest update on the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data from Statistics South Africa has confirmed the resilience of agriculture as it defied the odds and made a significant improvement in employment in the sector... | |
The year that was for agriculture and what to expect in 2024[John Hudson] The year 2023 has been a tricky one that has needed to be carefully navigated. In many ways, it has been a year of consolidation and recovery, particularly for exports... | |
Farmers face profit margin compression following a further surge in fuel prices[Paul Makube] Fuel accounts for about 10% of the annual grain and oilseed variable costs... | |
Cultivating tomorrow's agricultural leaders: The power of online learning[Wynand Espach] In the dynamic world of agriculture, where technological advancements and environmental concerns are reshaping the landscape, the need for a skilled and adaptable workforce has never been greater... | |
Renewed optimism as agriculture business confidence rebounds in Q3[Paul Makube] Despite huge challenges stemming from deteriorating logistics infrastructure and cost pressures associated with loadshedding, the agriculture sector again showed further resilience... |