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SA food price inflation decelerates further to 4.5%
Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation have been on a downward trend since mid-2017, following a robust output from the agricultural sector. In January 2018, food inflation further decelerated to 4.5% y/y, which is the lowest levels in more than two years. With that said, the food basket remains mixed. The livestock products (meat, milk, eggs and cheese) are slightly elevated, whereas the rest is on a slowing path - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 23/02/2018
MoreAgbiz responds to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa
Agbiz strongly welcomes the State of the Nation Address by newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa today, and especially welcomes the general thrust of his SONA’s focus on revitalising the economy and the commitment to root out corruption. The new approach in the 2018 SONA of instilling a changed vision of hope, unity, service and prosperity is necessary to turn South Africa around to achieve Nelson Mandela’s dedication to a fair, just and decent society - John Purchase, Agbiz CEO
Published: 19/02/2018
MoreRecent rainfall good news for maize and food security
Food security remains a topical issue in many African countries, where maize is, by and large, the staple food. Kenya remains a net importer of maize, following a harsh drought in the 2016/17 production season. The thin resources available in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe remain stretched as drought and fall armyworms threaten the 2017/18 maize production season. South Africa also started the 2017/18 production season on a bad footing, as I highlighted in this column the difficulties brought by extreme dryness in the western sections of the Free State and North West provinces at the beginning of the year - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 15/02/2018
MoreIt’s #valentinesday — so, chocolate is on the cards!
Where do these chocolates come from? (Hint: not your significant other) - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 14/02/2018
MoreSA agricultural employment down by 8% y/y in Q4, 2017
After experiencing a decline in employment in the first three quarters of 2017, South Africa’s agricultural sector recorded a 5% q/q rebound in employment in the fourth quarter to 849 000 jobs. This quarterly increase was mainly in field crops, horticulture and livestock sub-sectors. The provinces driving it were the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. Overall, while the quarterly uptick is encouraging, agricultural employment is still down when compared to the corresponding period the previous year - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist.
Published: 13/02/2018
MoreAgbiz CEO interviewed by Grootplaas ahead of the upcoming 2018 Agbiz Congress
In an interview with Grootplaas, Dr John Purchase CEO of Agbiz sums up what delegates who register for the 2018 Agbiz Congress can expect to learn at this prestigious event. Themed "Uncertainty Creates Opportunity", the topics will focus on factors that create uncertainty in the sector, and how agri leaders and farmers who are integrated in the value chain can form strategies to seize opportunities.
Published: 13/02/2018
MoreSABC News interview: Land expropriation without compensation
The ANC decided at its conference in December that it would propose amendments to the constitution to seize land without compensation to speed up the process of giving black people more land that they were stripped of during white rule. ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured people that the policy on the expropriation of land without compensation will be implemented in a manner that will not cripple the country or destabalise the agricultural sector. Theo Boshoff, Wandile Sihlobo and Sifiso Ntombela have authored a discussion paper on the land reform debate. Theo Boshoff joined SABC News live to discuss the paper.
Published: 13/02/2018
MoreRedistribution of land: Expropriation without compensation debate
During the ANC's 54th National Elective conference in December 2017, it was announced that a decision has been made to amend the constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation, provided that it is sustainable and does not harm the financial sector or food security. In the absence of a policy paper or explanatory memorandum, it remains unknown how the party intends to give effect to these seemingly competing interests. In order to stimulate public debate around the issue, researchers from Agbiz have attempted to unpack the possible modalities of the announcement by using a scenario-based approach - Theo Boshoff, Wandile Sihlobo and Sifiso Ntombela of Agbiz
Published: 09/02/2018
MoreSouth Africa remains a net exporter of aggregate food but increasingly loosing competitiveness on strategic tariff lines
South Africa’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries achieved a positive trade balance of R44.3 billion in 2017, largely driven by 1.9 percent growth in aggregate exports as compared to the previous year. Europe and Africa continued to be the largest destination markets for agricultural exports, collectively absorbing 70.5 percent of total exports in 2017, measured in value terms. During the same time, imports slowed by 3.9 percent due to a 24.7 percent decline in imports originating from American countries - Sifiso Ntombela, Trade economist and Agbiz Head: International Trade and Investment
Published: 08/02/2018
MoreSouth African tractor sales for January 2018 up 10% y/y
After the solid performance of 19% y/y increase in December 2017, the South African tractor sales were again up by 10% y/y in January 2018, with 527 units sold. This was somewhat surprising given that the area planted with summer crops declined in the 2017/18 production year. With that said, we believe that the uptick was due to a fairly stronger domestic currency, as well as late plantings in the western parts of the country - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 08/02/2018
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