SOUTH AFRICA 25bps rate cut provides relief for the agricultural sector in tough times[Paul Makube] The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) cut the benchmark repo rate to 8% and raised its growth outlook, citing increased confidence from stabilizing electricity supply and spending from the new two-pot retirement system... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Food inflation ends 8-month decline, rising 4.1% year-on-year in August[Paul Makube] South Africa’s consumer price inflation slowed in August 2024 to its lowest in 40 months, falling below the Sarb’s target. Monthly inflation rose slightly but remained below the previous month's increase... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Simply Boer at Nampo 2024 offering affordable cover for farm workers - Simply Financial Services[Sam Fleming] Simply launched the Simply Boer campaign at this year’s Nampo Harvest Day, Africa’s premier agricultural expo... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Agriculture dips 2.1% in Q2 2024 after strong Q1[Paul Makube] Agriculture fell 2.1% in Q2 2024 after strong Q1 growth, contributing to South Africa’s 0.4% GDP increase... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Food inflation hits 55-month low of 3.9% in July 2024[Paul Makube] Headline inflation decreased from 5.1% year-on-year in June to a 39-month low of 4.6% year-on-year in July 2024. Monthly, it rose 0.4%, driven by electricity and core inflation pressures... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Downbeat agriculture exports in Q2 of 2024 reflect tough seasonal conditionsPaul MakubeSenior Agricultural Economist, First National Bank | |
SOUTH AFRICA #WomensMonth: Anina Hunter on empowering women in agriculture and animal feed[Robin Fredericks] Anina Hunter, feed director at Epol Animal Feed, talks about her inspiring journey from aspiring veterinarian to industry leader... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Agriculture jobs decline in Q2 2024 but remain above long-term average[Paul Makube] The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa shows employment in Q2 2024 fell by 0.6% (92,416 jobs), despite being 1.9% higher than the same period in 2023 and reflecting a year-to-June growth of 2.6%... | |
SOUTH AFRICA #WomensMonth: WAS Laboratory’s Merecia Smith on pioneering wine analysis[Robin Fredericks] In celebration of Women’s Month, we interview Merecia Smith, founder of WAS Laboratory, the Western Cape’s first black-owned wine analysis lab... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Mogale Maleka: Leading the way in water-efficient farming as a GoGettaz finalist[Robin Fredericks] Mogale Maleka, founder of Agang Bokamoso Farms, is a Top 12 finalist in the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition for his groundbreaking hydroponic system. His water and land use innovation makes him the only South African finalist, highlighting his unique impact on agriculture... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Food inflation eases, but weather-induced production challenges remain[Paul Makube] Headline inflation decelerated to a 2024 low of 5.1% year-on-year in June, while food inflation reached 4.1% year-on-year, the lowest since February 2020... | |
SOUTH AFRICA #YouthMonth: Lunga Momoza of Basket Ecommerce, empowering youth in SA's agritech[Robin Fredericks] This Youth Month, we chat with Lunga Hamilton Momoza, co-founder of Basket Ecommerce... | |
SOUTH AFRICA #YouthMonth: Abbey Pretorius, shaping the future of South African winemaking[Robin Fredericks] We spotlight Abbey Pretorius, one of the 30 young professionals recognised by WineLand Media... | |
SOUTH AFRICA No respite for coffee lovers as higher global prices stoke local inflation[Paul Makube] According to Statistics South Africa, South Africa’s consumers breathed a sigh of relief as headline inflation steadied to 5.2% year-on-year in May 2024. Food inflation, however, decelerated further to 4.3% year-on-year in May 2024 from 4.4% in April 2024... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Agriculture GDP rebounds strongly in Q1 of 2024 despite headwinds[Paul Makube] "In a quarter characterised by a plethora of growth constraints such as the El Nino-induced heat wave the decimated crops, loadshedding, and inefficiencies at ports, agriculture still managed to rebound strongly in Q1, 2024." | |
SOUTH AFRICA #SAelections24: A crucial turning point for rural development and land reform[Peter Setou] The consensus is that despite significant progress, challenges remain... | |
SOUTH AFRICA Falling sales indicate market correction, 2025 outlook positive for agri machinery[Paul Makube] The South African Agriculture Machinery Association has reported another drop in sales, expected due to the weak economy and tough conditions... | |
SOUTH AFRICA FoodForward SA seeks to empower communities through food garden initiativeImage: Supplied (Left: Mo Salie, Andy Du Plessis, Arena Phillips and Cornel Jacobs) | |
SOUTH AFRICA Vigilance in containing FMD critical for red meat export growthSource: Freepik | |
SOUTH AFRICA 1% upward revision for maize estimates, still down 18.5% year-on-year[Paul Makube] Following an El Nino-induced weather scare in the first two months of 2024 with excessive heat decimating crops, there was a sigh of relief as rains returned across most of the summer crop areas... |