| 2012 |
| 2012-03-29 |
The USAID thanked Dr Purchase, ABC CEO, in a letter of appreciation for his respective presentations on the 'Southern and Eastern Africa Maize Value Chain and on 'South African Mycotoxin Research and SPS matters' at the "USG Southern Africa Feed the Future (FTF) Regional Worshop" held in Pretoria last week. The presentations are available at request of interested parties. |
| 2012-03-01 |
Agribusiness’ Confidence Recovering Steadily
Agribusinesses kicked the first quarter of 2012 off on a positive note as the confidence recovery trend continues. The duration of 2011 was defined by its positive, yet low confidence; mostly due to the inhibiting impact of the increase in the cost of doing business, which constrained the good expectations for the higher commodity and farm gate prices. Read more» |
| 2012-02-23 |
ABC Comments on the National Budget 2012
The Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) considers the National Budget 2012, as presented by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan on 22 February 2012, to be fair and responsible. Read full media release»
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| 2012-01-10 |
Outlook and expectations on the environment impacting on agribusinesses in 2012
The South African agribusinesses expect various challenges in 2012. The ABC constructed a brief overview of the outlook and expectations on the environment impacting on agribusinesses, as well as the major issues to be considered. Read more»
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| 2011 |
| 2011-12-06 |
ABC opinion on ABSA forecast 2012
The head of Absa Agribusiness, Ernst Janovsky, said the widespread take-up of new technologies had benefited farmers bold enough to invest in them. Mr Janovsky said due to a strong rand, imported inflation would continue to exert downward pressure on price increases, creating some leeway for further interest rate cuts...
Full article - Business Day»
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| 2011-12-01 |
ABC/IDC Confidence Index for the 4th Quarter of 2011:
Agribusinesses' Confidence Dropping Towards the End of the Year
The confidence in the agribusiness sector has dropped significantly by the end of 2011. The ABC/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index reached a level of 51.25 index points in the fourth quarter of 2011, which indicated that just more than half of the responding agribusinesses were overall positive about the status of the sector. The ABC/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index in the fourth quarter of 2011 was 7% lower than at the end of 2010 and 10% lower than the preceding quarter. Download media release»
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| 2011-11-03 |
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| 2011-08-12 |
ABC gives feedback on NEDLAC's Trade and Industry chamber Strategic Session
The ABC participated in the National Economic Development and Labour Council's (NEDLAC) Trade and Industry Chamber (TIC) strategic session last week. In his opening address, dti Minister Rob Davies addressed the challenges facing South African industries and dealt, among other issues, with:
- Infrastructure projects
- Blockages in manufacturing industry
- Customs fraud
- Export Taxes
- IPAP2
- New Growth Path
- Trade with Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC).
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| 2011-08-02 |
Africa Lead partners with ABC
AFRICA LEAD is a USAID-funded project focused on building capacity for agricultural development in a number of African countries* across the continent. AFRICA LEAD is offering an opportunity for South African companies to participate in their “Agribusiness Leadership Program”. By matching private sector hosts from more technically advanced economies (like South Africa) with participants from enterprises that need technical skills upgrades, the Agribusiness Leadership Program supports skills transfer to facilitate a greater commercial model of agricultural production and value addition in Africa. Please peruse the Leadership Program Flyer and ABC partners with Africa Lead.
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| 2011-07-07 |
ABC supports BUSA's response to BMF's decision to leave
As the media broadly reported, the Black Management Forum is leaving BUSA. The ABC supports BUSA in its response of noting the decision with regret. Read the article from polity.org by clicking here»
The ABC is a member of BUSA and consider BUSA a vitally important role player in the social dialogue regarding economic development of the country. BUSA is a politically neutral organisation, and should keep its focus on representing the business sector in South Africa. The ABC finds its membership invaluable due to its opportunity to participate in policy discussions towards creating an enabling and competitive business environment – for big, medium, small and micro businesses.
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| 2011-06-28 |
The ABC leadership was invited to a meeting between the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and commercial farmers. After the meeting was opened, Minister Nkwinti presented the audience with his views on the various Land Reform models. He specified that assisting land reform beneficiaries and emerging farmers cannot be done by government alone, hence this important engagement.
Media release in PDF Format
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| 2011-06-22 |
Open Market Economy will remain policy of the Government
While the Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) has noted with concern the statements relating to the nationalisation of farms, banks and mines, it is important to emphasise that an open market economy remains the official policy of the government of the day. This was again confirmed during the past week by the ruling party.
The ARC engages with the government and naturally supports the expansion of an open market economy for South Africa and all its people, because this is the only system which, over time, facilitates growth and development, and especially job creation, on a sustainable basis – within a sensible and enabling regulatory framework, of course.
Private ownership and property rights are fundamental to the creation of value and prosperity and should be encouraged and promoted by government. Furthermore, any transformation and land reform must take place within the framework of South Africa’s Constitution and international principles of expropriation. The government will have to display strong leadership in this regard otherwise investor confidence, specifically also agricultural producers, will decline, with dire consequences for food security. It is also important to emphasise that the consequences of nationalisation within South African context would be catastrophic, with large-scale destruction of value for everyone concerned.
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| 2011-06-07 |
ABC hosts high level US delegation - MS Word Format
ABC hosts high level US delegation - PDF format
LKB ontvang hoëvlak afvaardiging van VSA
LBK ontvang hoëvlak afvaardiging van VSA - PDF Format
Photograph |
| 2011-05-27 |
ABC/IDC Agribusinesses Confidence Index
From the “highs” in 2008, to the “lows” in 2009 and again the “highs” in 2011 |
| 2011-05-27 |
ABC’s expectations, based on the Monetary Policy Review, May 2011 |
| 2011-05-16 |
ABC Centenary Bursary funding student for further studies in the field of agribusiness |
| 2011-03-14 |
Postive confidence levels maintained for almost a year now |
| 2011-02-23 |
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| 2010 |
| 2010-10-28 |
ABC's comments on medium term budgetary policy statement |
| 2010-09-02 |
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| 2010-08-05 |
Agribusinesses' contribution to BBBEE
Agri-besighede se bydrae tot BBSEB |
| 2010-07-29 |
Agribusinesses' take on the loss of jobs
The following documents are supplementary to the media release:
• Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS): second quarter of 2010
• OECD Employment Outlook 2010 Summary
• UASA / economists.co.za: The Ninth South Africa Employment Report
• Standard Bank’s 27 July 2010 Economics publication on SA’s Labour market report (QLFS) by Shireen Darmalingam
• Werkverliese in landbou op 32 000 (Landbouweekblad: 28 July 2010) |
| 2010-05-13 |
Food Security: How does SA measure up to CAAPD's 4 pillars?
Voedselsekuriteit: Waar staan SA tans tov CAAPD se 4 pilare? |