Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa

Agbiz is bly dat Nene en Pravin terug is

Agbiz is verheug dat Nene en Pravin terug is, maar is spreek sy kommer uit oor die nuwe minister van grondsake en landelike ontwikkeling, Me Maite Nkoana-Mashabane wat voorheen minister van internasionale verhoudinge en samewerking was. Dr Purchase sê hy vind dit interessant dat minister Nkwinti van grondsake en landelike ontwikkeling aangestel is as minister van water en sanitasie.

Published: 01/03/2018

2018 Agbiz Congress | Early-bird registration is closing soon

Standard Bank will again be the main sponsor for the 2018 Agbiz Congress, themed “Uncertain Creates Opportunity”, which will be held at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth, on Thursday 7 June and 8 June 2018. To take advantage of the early-bird rates, please register and pay before 10 March 2018.

Published: 28/02/2018

Agbiz response to Parliament’s resolution on land expropriation without compensation

“Agbiz has noted with deep concern the principle resolution on expropriation of land without compensation that was agreed to in Parliament yesterday,” Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said today.

Published: 28/02/2018

South Africa is in for a good grain harvest, despite the decline in area planted

South Africa’s grain and oilseed market could be well supplied in the 2018/19 marketing season owing to expectations of relatively large maize and soybean harvest. The National Crop Estimates Committee placed its first production estimates for maize at 12.2 million tonnes, which is well above our estimate of 11.2 million tonnes, albeit having declined by 27% from the 2016/17 production season – this is still above the annual consumption of 10.5 million tonnes - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist

Published: 27/02/2018

SA food price inflation decelerates further to 4.5%

Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation have been on a downward trend since mid-2017, following a robust output from the agricultural sector. In January 2018, food inflation further decelerated to 4.5% y/y, which is the lowest levels in more than two years. With that said, the food basket remains mixed. The livestock products (meat, milk, eggs and cheese) are slightly elevated, whereas the rest is on a slowing path - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist

Published: 23/02/2018

Agbiz responds to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa

Agbiz strongly welcomes the State of the Nation Address by newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa today, and especially welcomes the general thrust of his SONA’s focus on revitalising the economy and the commitment to root out corruption. The new approach in the 2018 SONA of instilling a changed vision of hope, unity, service and prosperity is necessary to turn South Africa around to achieve Nelson Mandela’s dedication to a fair, just and decent society - John Purchase, Agbiz CEO

Published: 19/02/2018

Recent rainfall good news for maize and food security

Food security remains a topical issue in many African countries, where maize is, by and large, the staple food. Kenya remains a net importer of maize, following a harsh drought in the 2016/17 production season. The thin resources available in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe remain stretched as drought and fall armyworms threaten the 2017/18 maize production season. South Africa also started the 2017/18 production season on a bad footing, as I highlighted in this column the difficulties brought by extreme dryness in the western sections of the Free State and North West provinces at the beginning of the year - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist

Published: 15/02/2018

It’s #valentinesday — so, chocolate is on the cards!

Where do these chocolates come from? (Hint: not your significant other) - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist

Published: 14/02/2018

SA agricultural employment down by 8% y/y in Q4, 2017

After experiencing a decline in employment in the first three quarters of 2017, South Africa’s agricultural sector recorded a 5% q/q rebound in employment in the fourth quarter to 849 000 jobs. This quarterly increase was mainly in field crops, horticulture and livestock sub-sectors. The provinces driving it were the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. Overall, while the quarterly uptick is encouraging, agricultural employment is still down when compared to the corresponding period the previous year - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist.

Published: 13/02/2018

Agbiz CEO interviewed by Grootplaas ahead of the upcoming 2018 Agbiz Congress

In an interview with Grootplaas, Dr John Purchase CEO of Agbiz sums up what delegates who register for the 2018 Agbiz Congress can expect to learn at this prestigious event. Themed "Uncertainty Creates Opportunity", the topics will focus on factors that create uncertainty in the sector, and how agri leaders and farmers who are integrated in the value chain can form strategies to seize opportunities.