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SA sugar industry appeals for stronger tariff protection
The members of the South African Sugar Association (SASA), which includes sugarcane farmers and millers, have applied to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) for a 51% increase in the sugar tariff (dollar-based reference price of US$ 856.32/ton) to help the industry against the increasing sugar imports. – Sifiso Ntombela, Head: Trade and Investment Intelligence
Published: 06/07/2018
MoreIf Zimbabwe lifts maize ban, South Africa can step in
I keep a close eye on the Zimbabwe agricultural sector because of its potential impact on regional demand. Since the collapse of the sector after the land reform programme in the early 2000s, the country has been one of the key markets for South African maize. – Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist *Written for and first published in the Business Times on 01 July 2018.
Published: 06/07/2018
MoreClear criteria needed for beneficiary selection in agricultural land redistribution
Some of the successful land reform programmes in the world took place in countries where the beneficiaries were those who occupied the land at the time of the reform. This may be true for the provision of secure tenure to occupiers living under legally insecure tenure arrangements in communal areas, however, the context is quite different for the redistribution and restitution programmes in South Africa. – Wandile Sihlobo and Prof Johann Kirsten[i] *Written for and first published on Business Day on 25 June 2018.
Published: 06/07/2018
MoreAgbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index Declines in Q2, 2018
Subsequent to an uptick to 58 index points in the first quarter of this year, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index declined to 54 in the second quarter. With the results still above the neutral 50-point mark, albeit having declined marginally, this means that the agribusiness sector is still optimistic about business conditions in South Africa - Wandile Sihlobo, Head Agbiz Economic Research
Published: 18/06/2018
MoreSA agricultural trade surplus shows increased in March 2018
The total agricultural exports and imports for the first two months of 2018 were adjusted downward by R43.01 and R5.05 million respectively in March 2018 - Sifiso Ntombela
Published: 20/05/2018
MoreFresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show – The event for all in the fresh produce industry
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will host its 8th annual Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show from 15-16 August 2018 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. This event will include an expanded trade show, top conference speakers, industry sessions and the opportunity to network with over 450 decision makers in the local and global fresh produce supply chain.
Published: 20/05/2018
MoreSA’s soybean success story needs to be heard and replicated
Over the past couple of weeks, soybeans hit the headlines in global media, spurred by then rising tensions in US-China trade relations. Coincidentally, the crop dominated agricultural media house headlines here at home as well, but not at a bigger scale and for different reasons. South Africans had learned from the National Crop Estimates Committee’s monthly updates that the country’s soybean harvest could reach 1.4 million tonnes in the 2017/18 production season, which is a record harvest - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 11/05/2018
MoreSouth African tractor sales grew by 15% y/y in April 2018
After experiencing robust growth of 41% y/y in March 2018, driven by government procurement ahead of the end of its financial year, the South African tractor sales grew at a relatively softer pace of 15% y/y in April, with 459 units sold. On average, 22 tractors were sold a day last month, compared to 35 tractors in March 2018 and 19 tractors a day in April 2017 - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz eonomist
Published: 09/05/2018
MoreAgbiz announces the passing of its Chairman, Mr Schalk Pienaar
“It is with sadness that Agbiz announces the sudden passing of its chairman, Mr Schalk Pienaar, on Sunday, the 6th of May 2018. Mr Pienaar had been the Chairman of Agbiz since 2010, a role that he fulfilled with true leadership and distinction. He will be sorely missed, not only by Agbiz and its members, but by the whole agriculture and agribusiness fraternity for his wise counsel and constructive contributions over decades of service in various leadership positions in agribusiness”, said Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, today.
Published: 07/05/2018
MoreSome Upswing in South Africa’s Grain Production Estimates
South Africa is in for a fairly good harvest in 2017/18 production season. This was confirmed by the third production forecasts released by the National Crop Estimate Committee this afternoon. All summer crop production estimates were revised up from previous month’s levels, with the exception of dry beans. In the same vein, winter crop farmers intend to increase the area plantings this upcoming season - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 03/05/2018
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