Latest News
2018 Agbiz Congress
The Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) of South Africa will be holding its biennial Congress at the Boardwalk Hotel and Conference Centre in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape on 7 to 8 June 2018. Register now to benefit from the early bird registration fee. More information is available on the 2018 Agbiz Congress website»
Published: 22/01/2018
MoreWhat should be done to kickstart the agricultural economy, instil business confidence and ensure policy certainty, from an agribusiness/agriculture perspective?
In 2017 the agricultural sector provided a significant boost to the national economy and assisted it from falling into a protracted technical recession. This was on the back of exceptionally good rainfall early in 2017 that resulted in record maize (17,4 million metric tons) and soybean (1,3 million metric tons) crops, amongst others, and despite severe drought conditions in the Western Cape. Agriculture GDP is however highly volatile over seasons and largely dependent on favourable agricultural conditions - Dr John Purchase, Agbiz CEO
Published: 19/01/2018
MoreUPDATE: SA fuel prices set to decline in February 2018
After a positive start to the year with a marginal decline in fuel prices, February 2018 could bring a further reduction in fuel prices, thanks to the stronger domestic currency. It is still early to be certain about the scale, but the current estimates suggest that prices of petrol and diesel could fall by 3% and 1%, respectively, from January 2018 levels - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 18/01/2018
MoreMixed rainfall changes SA agricultural outlook
I concluded 2017 with a positive outlook for South Africa’s agriculture in 2018 – underpinned by good chances of La Niña weather conditions during the 2017/18 summer season. This essentially meant that the country was expected to receive above-normal rainfall, which would have been good for agricultural activity - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Economist - This article first appeared in Business Day, 11 January 2017
Published: 11/01/2018
MoreSouth African tractor sales grew by 19% y/y in December 2017
South African tractor sales expanded by 19% y/y in December 2017, with 417 units sold. However, this was down by 26% when compared to the previous month, which mirrors a slowdown in field activity as summer crop planting was almost complete in most areas - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist
Published: 11/01/2018
MoreFuture economies powerhouse, would they have an appetite for beef?
PwC projected that the world economy could double in size by 2050, driven by new powerhouse economies such as China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Russia measured in purchasing power parity (PPP). Growth theory postulates that as economies developed, their consumers’ protein intake tends to increase substituting the starch - Sifiso Ntombela
Published: 09/01/2018
More