Chocolate prices continue to rise

[Paul Makube] Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial, reveals the latest insights on cocoa market dynamics, shedding light on the impacts of inclement weather and production declines...

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 low

[Paul Makube] Headline inflation accelerated faster to 5.6% year-on-year (y/y) in February from 5.3% in January 2024, which is slightly above market expectations of 5.5% y/y. However, food inflation decelerated faster to the lowest level in 25 months at 6% y/y in February...

#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 garden

[Aa-isha Hassiem] In celebration of World Soil Day, members of the media were invited to Bel Porto School to witness the unveiling of a new community market garden...

Q3 2023 sees stealthy 4% jump in agriculture export earnings

[Paul Makube] The latest trade data update from Trade Map shows another impressive performance from the agriculture sector with the value of export earnings jumping by 4% year-on-year to $3.9bn...

#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...