ABC in the News 2010

Here you will find a collection of press articles where the Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) has received press and media coverage or where ABC representatives have been quoted.

December 2010
2010-12-30	'Do not sacrifice' other farm sectors for sugar Lobby groups such as AgriSA and the Agricultural Business Chamber have argued that, in terms of the Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement with the EU, there is an imbalance in trade in beneficiated agriculture and that this should be corrected. Business Day
2010-12-22	Retailers check water usage The chief executive of the Agricultural Business Chamber, John Purchase, said in an interview recently that contaminated water was likely to be costly for food producers, retailers and consumers. As the economy grew, he said, the various industries released more and more dangerous chemicals into the water system. www.iol.co.za
2010-12-14	Food prices - Anti-competitive behaviour Big Agribusiness may be larding prices Agricultural Business Chamber CEO John Purchase agrees that there is a concentration of agribusinesses in developed countries but argues that this is necessary. "The economies of scale make the business profitable. Producers are making good prices and consumers are benefiting from the efficiency." Financial Mail
2010-12-13	Farmers 'should look east for better prices' Dr John Purchase, CEO of the Agricultural Business chamber, said that, despite the recession, the agricultural sector had grown by about 16% this year. He raised concern about the rand's volatility, saying it was making it difficult to plan and predict appropriately. Business Day
2010-12-13	Don’t read too much into current growth rate However, the economic growth rate for the third quarter slowed down to 2,6%, compared to 2,8% in the second and 4,6% in the first quarter of 2010.Agricultural Business Chamber CEO Dr John Purchase said agriculture’s growth was “basically still part of the recovery process from the rather acute recession”. Farmer's Weekly
2010-12-06	Farmers upbeat on NGP from Patel "The chief executive of the Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC), John Purchase, said the NGP was still vague on rural development, citing a number of issues in the agricultural sector that still needed to be addressed..." "...The ABC manager of economic intelligence, Lindie Stroebel, said primary agriculture currently employed close to 600 000 people. Stroebel added that it contributed 3 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product and far more in terms of value added as food was processed..." Business Report
2010-12-03	Maize surplus remains unchanged Agricultural Business Chamber CEO Dr John Purchase said, “A major problem facing the broader maize industry is the dire lack of market development, both locally and abroad, to absorb this surplus production. South African genetically modified maize limits entry to new and international markets. Farmer's Weekly
November 2010
2010-11-28	SA farmers miss the boat John Purchase, the chief executive of the Agricultural Business Chamber, said: “If we are going to regularly produce maize surpluses, which we do 10 out of every 12 years, we must find more markets. It’s the responsibility of government and industry to actively look for markets.” Business Report
2010-11-25	Nee, Minister Dr John Purchase sê: "Ek verwelkom die fokus op landbou en landbousake. Die werkskeppingsteikens vir die breër landboubedryf is duidelik ambisieus, maar..." Sake24.com
2010-11-24	Regering moet mieliesurplus opgaar "Die Landboubesigheidskamer, sê ook die regering moet die gesprek oor die gebruik van mielies vir biobrandstof heropen..." Sake24.com
2010-11-24	Price controls mooted for staple foods "John Purchase said the chamber supports the focus on agriculture and agro-processing . "The job-creation targets set for the broader sector are obviously ambitious..." Business Day
2010-11-23	Navigating the maize "John Purchase has also said government needs to reopen the debate on the ban on using maize for biofuel..." Fin24.com
2010-11-21	Grondoudit so te sê gereed "Al wat nog in die pad daarvan staan, is ’n voldoende begroting en kundige personeel , sê dr. John Purchase..." Landbou.com
2010-11-14	Buying groups bid to cut farming costs Lindie Stroebel, manager of economic intelligence and finance at the Agricultural Business Chamber, said: "I think it's good, as it increases their buying power. They should just be careful that they are not contravening Competition Commission regulations..." Times LIVE
2010-11-09	South Africa Urges Switch to Yellow Corn, Asian Markets "An export agency or trading desk shouldn’t move South Africa back to the pre-1994 regulated-market system as the government doesn’t have the capacity or skill to sell all corn through a single state-run channel, Lindie Stroebel, economic intelligence manager at the ABC said..." Bloomberg Newsweek
2010-11-09	High expectations for agro-processing fund "Dr John Purchase, Agricultural Business Chamber CEO, is hopeful that the Competition Tribunal will endorse the Pioneer penalty. The establishment of a fund ..." Business Day
2010-11-08	Pioneer coughs up almost a billion "Dr John Purchase said they welcomed the way the settlement had been structured..." Farmer's Weekly
2010-11-08	Agriculture's 'new' role in national growth requires more coordination Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) president Dr John Purchase welcomed the news, but with reservations, saying details were still “very sketchy at best”. Farmer's Weekly
2010-11-07	More than a minister needed to help fix Transnet, Eskom "The best of luck to new Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba - even Superman would not be able to do much about SA's electricity and rail transport challenges, analysts and industry role players said..." Times LIVE
2010-11-03	South Africa - Gordhan warns about global 'trade wars' "Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) CEO Dr John Purchase said the US's moves to devalue the dollar were motivated by their desire to stimulate manufacturing ..." Meat Trade News Daily
October 2010
2010-10-27	No need to worry about high food prices yet Business Day
2010-10	New challenges for agricultural value chains - Interview with Dr John purchase, CEO of ABC Santam Landbou/Agriculture
2010-10-22	Gordhan warns about global "trade wars" "Dr John Purchase said the US’s moves to devalue the dollar were motivated by their desire to stimulate manufacturing..." Farmer's Weekly
2010-10-21	Navorser + Produsent = Wenresep George Herald
2010-10-20	Retail giant's entry to heighten levels of competition and imports Business Report
2010-10-15	ABC on what Wal-Mart bid means for producers Farmer's Weekly
2010-10-13	Staat bekyk sy bydrae tot kospryse Landbou.com
2010-10-13	Food safety agency will aid exports Business Day
2010-10-10	Nationalisation under fire Sunday Times
2010-10-08	Ontgin tegnologie Landbouweekblad
2010-10-08	Landbou bied groei-geleenthede Landbouweekblad
2010-10-05	Landbou se PPI-syfer 'tel kop op' Landbou.com
2010-10-01	DG bunks AgriBEE hearing Farmer's Weekly
2010-10-01	Update on transformation of agricultural sector SabinetLaw
2010-10-01	Handelsooreenkoms met EU vorder Landbou.com
September 2010
2010-09-29	South Africa targets Sasol, Arcelor in cartel push “This kind of remedial action is a welcome move,” said John Purchase, chief executive officer of the Pretoria-based Agricultural Business Chamber, which represents banks, including Absa Group Ltd. and suppliers of farming services, such as Afgri Ltd. “This is not just about slapping fines, but it’s about solving the problem.” Bloomberg
2010-09-28	Analysis: NGC goes gaga for Chinese model Business Report
2010-09-23	SA kan deel van goue hoofweg wees Landbou.com
2010-09-20	SA's agricultural reform programme failing Business Report
2010-09-19	Struggling farmers urged to diversify Sunday Times
2010-09-17	Agriculture Sector Transformation & Agri BEE Charter progress: Public Hearings Parliamentary Monitoring Group
2010-09-15	Transformation of agriculture under microscope I-Net Bridge
2010-09-13	Confidence in agri-business soars Business Day
2010-09-10	Agri-processing set for investment Farmer's Weekly
2010-09-09	Graanpryse: Watter impak het graanpryse op die landbousakevertroue-indeks: Lindie Stroebel – bestuurder, Landbousakekamer SAfm market update with Moneyweb
2010-09-09	Agribusiness confidence picks up but off low base Africa-Investor.com
2010-09-09	Probleme met kontantvloei druk vertroue in landbou af Beeld
2010-09-09	Vertroue in landbou daal Landbou.com
2010-09-07	China koop dalk oorskot mielies Landbou.com
2010-09-07	China may absorb SA's grain surplus Business Day
2010-09-05	Cosatu calls for business overhaul Fin 24
2010-09-05	Cosatu het radikale ekonomieplan Sake 24
2010-09-02	Processed food imports dent jobs "The agricultural sector is losing jobs because processed products are being imported, instead of being produced and manufactured locally, Lindie Stroebel of the Agricultural Business Chamber said." Business Day
3 September 2010	Treacle wins court order against Senwesbel Farmer's Weekly
August 2010
2010-08-27	Somergrane: Speel die mark reg Landbouweekblad
2010-08-27	Uitdaging om nuwe boere te help Landbouweeblad
2010-08-26	PPI wys boere trek swaar Landbou.com
2010-08-19	Land Bank stands by itself and cuts waste Business Report
2010-08-18	SEB:"Boere doen te min" Landbou.com
2010-08-18	SA arbeid moet verbeter Landbou.com
2010-08-13	Government support needed to stop agriculture's labour losses Farmer's Weekly
2010-08-13	Werkloosheid styg weens invoer Landbou.com
2010-08-13	Haromising African trade agreements Farmer's Weekly
2010-08-13	SA het steeds 'n staatsbank nodig (1MB) Finweek
2010-08-13	Vertroue in landbou styg Landbou.com
2010-08-11	Baie SEB-potensiaal in die landbou Landbou.com
2010-08-10	Food prices unlikely to rise sharply, say experts Business Day
2010-08-06	WHO se "onvermoë" 'n verleentheid Landbouweekblad
2010-08-05	LBK-hoof praat: Mededingingsowerhede Landbouweekblad
July 2010
29 July 2010	SA kan Afrika help om wêreld kos te gee Sake24
28 July 2010	Werkverliese in landbou op 32 000 Landboubou.com
23 July 2010	SA Farmers want more EU access Farmer's Weekly
23 July 2010	Call for quicker land reform finance Farmer's Weekly
23 July 2010	Power hikes will bite into profits Farmer's Weekly
22 July 2010	Lack of research money bedevils local farmers Business Report
20 July 2010	Rumours rife as state sits on land report Business Day
20 July 2010	Groenskrif steeds nie gereed Landbou.com
16 July 2010	Kunsmisreus herstruktureer dalk Landbouweekblad
16 July 2010	Pleidooi vir landbou-eenheid Onderhoud met LBK-Voorsitter, Mnr Schalk Pienaar (Landbouweekblad)
13 July 2010	Wine growers feel squeeze as costs rise Business Day
12 July 2010	SA farmers want EU doors wide open Business Day
12 July 2010	LBK maan oor grondprojekte Landbou.com
09 July 2010	Research funding gap ‘forces scientists out of agriculture’ Business Day
07 July 2010	Kragverbruik onder die loep Landbou.com
June 2010
2010-06-28	Agri-besighede 'vrees vervolging' Landbou.com
2010-06-25	Not all bad: The political environment for agriculture in SA Farmer's Weekly
2010-06-25	Home brands need market boost offshore
2010-06-24	Policy confusion threatens food security
2010-06-21	Mixed views on Transnet Plan
2010-06-18	Konsessieplan vir spoorweë bekend Landbouweekblad
2010-06-11	Landbou skud vere reg vir sportskouspel Landbouweekblad
2010-06-11	Transformation: Talking about a revolution www.leader.co.za
2010-06-10	More investment needed in Agriculture Farmer's Weekly
2010-06-10	Planning Commission positive about agriculture Farmer's Weekly
2010-06-10	Grain SA's plea to export surplus maize Business Day
2010-06-09	Landbou verwelkom sokkerbesoekers Landbou.com
2010-06-08	Transnet invites private sector to runs branch lines Business Day
2010-06-08	Konsessie vir spoorvervoer beoog Landbou.com
2010-06-08	Agribesighede kan nuwe boere help Landbou.com
2010-06-07	Changing economics require a new agricultural revolution
2010-06-07	Nie te laat vir 'grond-Kodesa' Landbou.com
2010-06-04	Landbouwette: Deursigtigheid nodig Landbouweekblad
2010-06-04	Agricultural Business Chamber elects its office bearers
2010-06-04	SA must look at biofuels amid surplus, says Chamber
2010-06-04	Agribusiness 'slow to transform' Business Day
2010-06-03	Food prices expected to rise next year www.supermarket.co.za
2010-06-03	Karaan: Waardering vir landbou kort Landbou.com
2010-06-03	Resessie sal landbou nou eers tref Landbou.com
2010-06-02	Food prices will raise again
May 2010
31 Mei 2010	LBK hou kongres in Somerset-Wes ABC Congress to be held in Somerset West
28 May 2010	VPI daal oor laer kos-inflasie
21 May 2010	Consumer Protection Act will affect farmers Farmer's Weekly
21 May 2010	What farming Needs (CAAPD's 4 pillars) Farmer's Weekly
19 May 2010	Presentation on Rift Valley Fever outbreak
18 May 2010	Workshop on Agricultural Investment in East Africa - download a draft report, highlighting the major outcoms
14 May 2010	Koringtarief: GSA gaan Davies pak Landbouweekblad
14 May 2010	Landboubelegging kort hupstoot Landbouweekblad
14 May 2010	Voedselsekerheid: Opvoeding nodig Landbouweekblad
13 May 2010	Belegging in landbou skiet te kort Food Security: How does SA measure up to CAAPD's 4 pillars? Voedselsekuriteit: Waar staan SA tans tov CAAPD se 4 pilare?
10 May 2010	Vervoer: Staking kan landbou ontwrig Landbou.com
07 May 2010	How to regain control Farmer's Weekly
07 May 2010	Tariff on wheat imports the only way to save wheat industry? Farmer's Weekly
April 2010
28 April 2010	Standard Bank and US launch centre to support transformation in agricultural sector
26 April 2010	Voedselsekuriteit: Opvoeding skort Voedselproduksie moet verdubbel teen 2050
25 April 2010	Withdrawal of millers from the National Chamber of Milling www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk
March 2010
28 March 2010	Negative agribusiness confidence at last lifting its head
26 March 2010	Undoing apartheid's land legacy?
February 2010
24 Febr 2010	ABC dismayed at electricity tariff increases granted to ESKOM by NERSA LBK spreek sy misnoeë uit oor elektrisiteitstariefverhogings soos deur NERSA aan ESKOM toegestaan
19 Febr 2010	Nuwe verhouding vir LBK, Agri SA