Scope for growth and employment in agricultural sector

I recently posted a graph on Twitter showing the past 100 years of South African agricultural employment, which has of course been declining for some time, in line with the international trend. The feedback from a couple of interactions suggested that the agricultural sector is a nonstarter when it comes to job creation. – Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist *Written for and first published in the Business Day on 21 June 2018.

06.07.2018 / Agbiz in the news

Dryland wheat farming in Eastern Cape needs support

Almost every Sunday afternoon I make a couple of phone calls to a number of farmers across the country to catch up on regional news and agricultural conditions. This past weekend I followed that routine, with a number of farmers briefing me about summer crop harvest progress. – Wandile Sihlolo, Agbiz economist *Written for and first appeared on Business Day on 05 July 2018

06.07.2018 / Agbiz in the news

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

06.07.2018 / Agbiz in the news

If Zimbabwe lifts maize ban, South Africa can step in

06.07.2018 / Agbiz in the news

Clear 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.  

06.07.2018 / Agbiz in the news

Agbiz/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

18.06.2018 / Agbiz in the news

SA agricultural employment down

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics South Africa showed a 3% y/y decline in agricultural employment in the first quarter of this year to 847 000 jobs - Wandile Sihlobo

20.05.2018 / Agbiz in the news

SA 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

20.05.2018 / Agbiz in the news

Fresh 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.

20.05.2018 / Agbiz in the news