Agbiz Press Release – Budget Speech 2025

Press release: Budget vote – action needed to implement economic reforms

Published: 13/03/2025

Press Release: Collaborative Effort to Enhance Capacity at the Cape Town Container Terminal

Stakeholders in the export-orientated fruit value chain, together with the Western Cape Government and Transnet Port Terminals, are pleased to announce a new collaboration aimed at enhancing operations at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT).

Published: 12/02/2025

Agbiz reaction to the SONA 2025: Focus is key in the face of global uncertainly

In the face of increasing global instability, South Africa needs to do all it possibly can to increase the competitiveness of our economy. Agbiz Chairperson Sean Walsh emphasises this urgency, stating, “The opening sentences of the President’s State of the Nation Address clearly set out the magnitude of the challenges we face through increasing global conflict and political polarisation, trade protectionism, and climate change. Other economies face the same challenges, which is why, more than ever, it is important for the government to do all it possibly can to give private sector companies an even level to compete.”

Published: 06/02/2025

Agbiz reacts to the 2024 Budget Speech

“This year’s Budget Speech comes again on the backdrop of a profoundly challenging macroeconomic environment where South Africa’s economy is expected to continue underperforming, averaging at 1.6% in the next three years. We cannot be satisfied with a steady decline in economic conditions, and innovative interventions are needed to turn the current trajectory around,” said Francois Strydom, Agbiz Chairperson. “Increased spending on grants and other social security measures may be needed in the short term, but a shrinking tax base cannot sustain this trend in the long run. As the minister noted, we need to grow the pie. The 2024/25 budget presented a valuable opportunity to do so but was largely silent on incentives for business.”

Published: 22/02/2024

Clarity regarding permit requirements for EU & UK EPA TQR

In the past two weeks, The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development published two gazettes outlining the procedure for exports from SACU and Mozambique to the EU and the UK, respectively, to take advantage of preferential Tariff Rate Quotas for certain agricultural and agro-processed products contained in an annexure to the agreement.

Published: 13/11/2023

A collaborative approach is vital to driving SA agriculture and agribusiness forward.

South Africa faces significant challenges of high unemployment, weak economic growth prospects, rising poverty and inequality. These are issues that should dominate the thinking of the political leaders, business and society at large.

Published: 02/08/2023

Agbiz welcomes the 2023 budget speech delivered in a tough environment

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2023 budget speech in a uniquely challenging environment. Global economic growth is slowing, from an estimated 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023. The domestic challenges, particularly the energy crisis, remain a significant constraint to growth, with the South African economy expected to grow by less than 2% through 2025.

Published: 22/02/2023

SONA strikes the right notes but must be followed by urgent action

According to Agbiz chairperson, Francois Strydom, “President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) spoke to most of the critical issues facing agribusiness today namely energy security, logistics, water security and infrastructure. We hope that the new positions being created within the Presidency will provide the necessary impetus for solutions to be found as business need urgent interventions.”

Published: 10/02/2023

Agbiz continues to engage with government and Eskom on load-shedding challenges

The severe load-shedding has increased food security risks in South Africa, and financial pressures on farmers, agribusinesses and the value chain role players. Whilst the risk is great, statements on food security should only be made from an evidence base. As such, Agbiz conducted a survey this past week across all the sectors and the results are currently being analysed by a joint team of experts. Insights will be shared as soon as possible. The survey will also be used to inform possible interventions that government and private sector representatives are formulating to ensure a sound approach. The results of the survey will help enrich the response approach for the sector. Agbiz has also been engaged in various meetings with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, and Eskom to find ways to ease the pressure on agribusinesses. These engagements are ongoing and will benefit from the results of the survey.

Published: 23/01/2023

Agbiz welcomes the reopening of wool exports to China

Agbiz welcomes the decision of the People’s Republic of China to once again accept wool exports from South Africa. The decision is a welcome development within the context of an increasingly volatile environment for international trade.

Published: 24/08/2022