Food inflation hits 55-month low of 3.9% in July 2024

[Paul Makube] Headline inflation decreased from 5.1% year-on-year in June to a 39-month low of 4.6% year-on-year in July 2024. Monthly, it rose 0.4%, driven by electricity and core inflation pressures...

Downbeat agriculture exports in Q2 of 2024 reflect tough seasonal conditions

[Paul Makube] Despite a trade surplus in Q2 2024, South Africa’s agriculture exports eased by 0.1% y/y to US$3.37 billion, shrinking the trade surplus by 6% y/y after a strong Q1...

#WomensMonth: Anina Hunter on empowering women in agriculture and animal feed

[Robin Fredericks] In celebration of Women’s Month, we chat with Anina Hunter, feed director at Epol Animal Feed, about her inspiring journey from aspiring veterinarian to industry leader. She shares her experiences, challenges, and views on the evolving role of women in agriculture...

Agriculture jobs decline in Q2 2024 but remain above long-term average

[Paul Makube] The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa shows employment in Q2 2024 fell by 0.6% (92,416 jobs), despite being 1.9% higher than the same period in 2023 and reflecting a year-to-June growth of 2.6%...

#WomensMonth: WAS Laboratory’s Merecia Smith on pioneering wine analysis

[Robin Fredericks] In celebration of Women’s Month, we interview Merecia Smith, founder of WAS Laboratory, the Western Cape’s first black-owned wine analysis lab...

Mogale Maleka: Leading the way in water-efficient farming as a GoGettaz finalist

[Robin Fredericks] Mogale Maleka, founder of Agang Bokamoso Farms, is a Top 12 finalist in the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition for his groundbreaking hydroponic system. His water and land use innovation makes him the only South African finalist, highlighting his unique impact on agriculture...

Food inflation eases, but weather-induced production challenges remain

[Paul Makube] Headline inflation decelerated to a 2024 low of 5.1% year-on-year in June, while food inflation reached 4.1% year-on-year, the lowest since February 2020...

#YouthMonth: Lunga Momoza of Basket Ecommerce, empowering youth in SA's agritech

[Robin Fredericks] This Youth Month, we chat with Lunga Hamilton Momoza, co-founder of Basket Ecommerce...

#YouthMonth: Abbey Pretorius, shaping the future of South African winemaking

[Robin Fredericks] We spotlight Abbey Pretorius, one of the 30 young professionals recognised by WineLand Media...

No respite for coffee lovers as higher global prices stoke local inflation

[Paul Makube] According to Statistics South Africa, South Africa’s consumers breathed a sigh of relief as headline inflation steadied to 5.2% year-on-year in May 2024. Food inflation, however, decelerated further to 4.3% year-on-year in May 2024 from 4.4% in April 2024...

Agriculture GDP rebounds strongly in Q1 of 2024 despite headwinds

[Paul Makube] "In a quarter characterised by a plethora of growth constraints such as the El Nino-induced heat wave the decimated crops, loadshedding, and inefficiencies at ports, agriculture still managed to rebound strongly in Q1, 2024."

#SAelections24: A crucial turning point for rural development and land reform

[Peter Setou] The consensus is that despite significant progress, challenges remain...

Falling sales indicate market correction, 2025 outlook positive for agri machinery

[Paul Makube] The South African Agriculture Machinery Association has reported another drop in sales, expected due to the weak economy and tough conditions...

FoodForward SA seeks to empower communities through food garden initiative

[Aa-isha Hassiem] Recently, FoodFoward SA, a non-profit food redistribution organisation, unveiled two sustainable food gardens in Cape Town...

Vigilance in containing FMD critical for red meat export growth

[Paul Makube] The issue of lapses in biosecurity in livestock production has been on the ascendancy globally in recent years with periodic outbreaks of major diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and African Swine Fever...

1% upward revision for maize estimates, still down 18.5% year-on-year

[Paul Makube] Following an El Nino-induced weather scare in the first two months of 2024 with excessive heat decimating crops, there was a sigh of relief as rains returned across most of the summer crop areas...

From vineyard to community: Exploring Spier Wine Farm's commitment to sustainability, empowerment

[Robin Fredericks] Nestled in the heart of the Stellenbosch wine region, just out of Cape Town, Spier Wine Farm isn't just known for its fine wines but also for its commitment to sustainability and community empowerment...

Chocolate prices continue to rise

[Paul Makube] Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial, reveals the latest insights on cocoa market dynamics, shedding light on the impacts of inclement weather and production declines...

Agribusiness confidence for Q1 2024 dimmed by bad weather and a plethora of challenges

[Paul Makube] The latest results of the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index survey still showed a subdued mood among agribusiness as widely expected given the negative turn on the weather front that slashed harvest prospects for the 2023/24 summer crop season...

Food inflation decelerates to a 25-month low

[Paul Makube] Headline inflation accelerated faster to 5.6% year-on-year (y/y) in February from 5.3% in January 2024, which is slightly above market expectations of 5.5% y/y. However, food inflation decelerated faster to the lowest level in 25 months at 6% y/y in February...