SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Food inflation decelerates to a 25-month lowImage source: Kampus Production from Pexels | |
SOUTH AFRICA #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)... | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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.... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Biosecurity in South Africa: A perfect storm?[John Hudson] Commercial agriculture, while essential for ensuring food security for a burgeoning population, poses many challenges... | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Q3 2023 sees stealthy 4% jump in agriculture export earningsSource: onlyyouqj via Freepik | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA 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... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Why your breakfast costs are lower this year[Paul Makube] Understanding various price drivers sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers and the extent to which the global economic landscape is impacting essential food items... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Sustaining existing trade partnerships and finding new markets is imperative for SA agriculture[John Hudson] As SA's agriculture is export-orientated, the focus must be on safeguarding its seamless continuation... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Agribusiness confidence remains subdued in Q2[Wandile Sihlobo] The Agbiz/IDC ACI's Q2 results show persistent concerns amongst the agriculture and agribusiness roleplayers about economic conditions... | |
SOUTH AFRICA A further deterioration in agriculture GDP outcomes turn negative in Q1 of 2023Source: josealbafotos via Pixabay | |
SOUTH AFRICA Your omelette is not yet under threat despite the recent Western Cape bird flu outbreak[Paul Makube] In South Africa, a total of five HPAI cases were recently detected and confirmed in five commercial chicken operations in the Western Cape province... | |
SOUTH AFRICA No respite for farmers as debt servicing costs escalate following another 50-basis points hikeSource: Barescar90 via Pixabay | |
SOUTH AFRICA A faster acceleration in food price inflation to another record high in March[Paul Makube] The latest inflation data shows no respite for consumers as headline consumer price inflation inched 0.1 percentage point higher to 7.1% year-on-year in March 2023 from 7.0% year-on-year in February... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Deteriorating fuel prices to hit consumers, farmers' profit margins[Paul Makube] The cost of distributing produce across the country is still highly depended on road transport - for example, about 80% of grain is transported by road... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Inflation outcomes relatively steady for food[Paul Makube] The South African consumer inflation came in on the upside at 5.1% for July 2018 but still within the SARB's target range of 3-6%. The food component, however, was still on the low side at 3.4% driven by the disinflation in bread and cereals and fruits... |