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Expropriation 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
MoreAgriculture export growth depends on rainfall and rand
South Africa’s agricultural sector has an auspicious outlook, albeit, challenges such as policy uncertainty and climate change remain dark clouds over the sector. In 2017, South Africa’s agricultural exports grew past US$10.0 billion for the first time, boosted by growth in exports of edible fruits, beverages, spirits, vegetables, grains and other agricultural products. This is a 15 percent increase from 2016 – a year that was characterised by El Niño induced drought - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Economist and Head Agribusiness Research
Published: 01/03/2018
MorePolicy paralysis could create more tenant emerging farmers
They say an apple does not fall far from the tree, this seems to hold when comparing the current and old policies developed in the agricultural sector. Some policies such as land, marketing, infrastructure and training have been repealed and replaced over the past two decades to correct the structural imbalances caused by historic laws between commercial and emerging farming. However, their design and implementation processes tend to either maintain or exacerbate the situation leading to more marginalized emerging farmers and increasing rate of food insecure households in the country - Sifiso Ntombela, Trade economist and Agbiz Head International Trade and Investment
Published: 01/03/2018
MoreAgbiz is bly dat Nene en Pravin terug is
Agbiz is verheug dat Nene en Pravin terug is, maar is spreek sy kommer uit oor die nuwe minister van grondsake en landelike ontwikkeling, Me Maite Nkoana-Mashabane wat voorheen minister van internasionale verhoudinge en samewerking was. Dr Purchase sê hy vind dit interessant dat minister Nkwinti van grondsake en landelike ontwikkeling aangestel is as minister van water en sanitasie.
Published: 01/03/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress | Early-bird registration is closing soon
Standard Bank will again be the main sponsor for the 2018 Agbiz Congress, themed “Uncertain Creates Opportunity”, which will be held at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth, on Thursday 7 June and 8 June 2018. To take advantage of the early-bird rates, please register and pay before 10 March 2018.
Published: 28/02/2018
MoreAgbiz response to Parliament’s resolution on land expropriation without compensation
“Agbiz has noted with deep concern the principle resolution on expropriation of land without compensation that was agreed to in Parliament yesterday,” Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said today.
Published: 28/02/2018
MoreSouth Africa is in for a good grain harvest, despite the decline in area planted
South Africa’s grain and oilseed market could be well supplied in the 2018/19 marketing season owing to expectations of relatively large maize and soybean harvest. The National Crop Estimates Committee placed its first production estimates for maize at 12.2 million tonnes, which is well above our estimate of 11.2 million tonnes, albeit having declined by 27% from the 2016/17 production season – this is still above the annual consumption of 10.5 million tonnes - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 27/02/2018
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