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Broad-based support helps black farmers deliver more
The dark clouds of policy uncertainty and climate change are a form that does not put a smile on farmers’ faces. However, there are some silver linings along the journey of South African agricultural sector that are worth highlighting. While going through my old photos recently, one shot taken four years ago caught my attention... - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Head: Agribusiness Research - Business Day Column - 15 March 2018
Published: 15/03/2018
MoreSouth African tractor sales for February 2018 fell by 12% y/y
Subsequent to a solid 10% y/y increase in January 2018, the South African tractor sales fell by 12% y/y last month, with 595 units sold. While February is typically one of the months with the highest tractor sales, just before the end of the financial year, this time around most purchases occurred in January, which explains the softening in last month’s activity - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Head: Agribusiness Research
Published: 14/03/2018
MoreSA agricultural trade starts 2018 on good footing
In January 2018, the agricultural sector sprint into a positive net trade of R1.3 billion while the overall economy suffered a trade deficit of R27.67 billion. The positive agricultural trade balance can be attributed to the availability of quality summer fruits and beverage products coupled with improved demand in Europe for South African agricultural products. On the imports side, South Africa still source relative large quantities of rice, oilcakes and processed food from Asia and other markets - Sifiso Ntombela, Trade economist and Head Agbiz Trade and Investment Intelligence
Published: 12/03/2018
MoreAgbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index Improves in Q1, 2018
The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index improved by 9 points to 58 in the first quarter of 2018, after declining to levels below 50-points mark in the last quarter of 2017 . The survey was conducted between 21 February and 01 March 2018. Therefore, the overall results are somewhat reflective of broader positive sentiment following recent political developments, tail-end benefits of robust agricultural output in the 2016/17 production, as well as favourable weather conditions for the 2017/18 summer crop growing areas of the country - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 12/03/2018
MoreBearish Outlook for Global Grain Prices
One of the most eagerly awaited communications in the global agricultural market is the International Grains Council's (IGC) monthly report. In the last week of February 2018, IGC reaffirmed its view that the world has large grain and oilseed supplies, particularly maize, soybeans and wheat, albeit having declined marginally from the 2016/17 production season - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 09/03/2018
MoreWheat Industry Revitalisation Programme get support from British High Commission Science and Innovation
A South African group of wheat scientists has just returned from a highly successful visit to the UK. The trip led to intense scientific discussions and crucial information exchange. The positive results and fruitful discussions will contribute towards strengthening the ties between UK and SA scientists - Mariana Purnell, General Manager of Agbiz Grain provides feedback
Published: 09/03/2018
MoreExpropriation without compensation: What we need now are calm heads and rational thinking
When the news broke on the eve of the 27th of February that Parliament had voted in favour of the motion brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters on expropriation without compensation, I, like many colleagues working in the agribusiness sector, found myself wondering what more this shortened month could possibly hold in store for us - Theo Boshoff, Agbiz Head: Legal Intelligence
Published: 09/03/2018
MoreSA agri exports hit record level
South Africa’s agriculture exports overshot the US$10-billion mark for the first time last year, up 15% from 2016, with the sector recording a record positive trade balance of US$3.3 billion - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 06/03/2018
MoreSA agricultural economy grew by 17.7% in 2017
After an extended contraction in 2015 and 2016, the South African agricultural economy grew by 17.7% in 2017. This was boosted by strong output in almost all the subsectors, such as field crops, livestock and horticulture, amongst others. In fact, this is also clear from trade data, where the country’s agricultural exports grew past the US$10 billion mark for the first time - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 06/03/2018
MoreAgbiz hosts session on current challenges in the policy and legislation environment
On 1 March 2018, Agbiz hosted a most successful half-day session for close to almost 100 role players and stakeholders in the agribusiness sector. The session focused on current challenges in the policy and legislation environment, as well as developments and opportunities in the agribusiness sector. The event was attend by agribusinesses, financiers, producers and agri-associations.
Published: 01/03/2018
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