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South Africa gives its farmers far less support than most other countries. According to the OECD’s 2026 Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation report, government support to South African producers averaged only 3.1% of gross farm receipts between 2023 and 2025. The average across the 56 countries surveyed was about 13%. In Norway and Switzerland the figure reaches around 50%.
South African nectarines and peaches are now reaching customers in Mumbai and Delhi within five days of harvest, following logistical changes introduced after a difficult start to the season. Initially, uneven flight schedules, airport delays and soft fruit arrivals caused problems, but closer coordination with a South African grower partner has helped shorten the journey from harvest to delivery.
Global food prices fell by 1.2% in October as weaker import demand pushed down cereals, dairy and meat. A monthly index of globally traded food commodities averaged 133.9 points, down from September, but still 5.9% higher than a year earlier and 16.4% below its March 2022 peak. Higher sugar and vegetable oil prices partly offset the declines.
South Africa’s maize exports could fall to 2.5 million tonnes from the crop now being planted, about 500,000 tonnes less than the 3 million tonnes expected from the previous harvest, according to a forecast from the Pretoria office of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), reported by UkrAgroConsult.
TLU SA President, Henry Geldenhuys, will submit a criminal complaint against Andile Mngxitama, a member of the MK Party and Member of Parliament, at the SAPS Community Service Centre in Sheepmoor. The criminal complaint was drafted and signed on 6 November 2026.
Camels originally imported from Sudan and later used by police to patrol South Africa's borders were sold to local farmers around 1950. Descendants of those camels will soon go under the hammer in the Kalahari.Hans Knoesen's grandfather Jannie Knoesen kept a few of those "police" camels on the farm, without knowing the family would start a camel dairy in 2016.
Climate experts have warned Northern Cape farmers to prepare for severe El Niño impacts.An online webinar hosted by the provincial agriculture department brought farmers, researchers and climate experts together to raise awareness and suggest preparation strategies.The province usually faces drought during summer, especially November to March.
According to the OECD’s Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2026 report, South Africa’s Producer Support Estimate averaged just 3.1% of gross farm income between 2023 and 2025, compared with about 13% across the 56 countries surveyed.
Deteriorating infrastructure is pushing up costs for poultry producers and other agricultural suppliers, a FairPlay webinar heard.Poultry, South Africa’s largest agricultural sector, needs reliable electricity, water and roads.
According to Cape Wools, the wool market continued its downward trend, although longer, certified fine micron Merino lots, making up more than half of the 6,110 bales on offer, performed better. The sale achieved an overall clearance of 91.4% after 1,015 bales were withdrawn before the auction.The All-Merino indicator declined by 1.8% to close at R229.40/kg.
South Africa’s vehicle exports rose 6.3% year on year to 38,117 units in October, up 21.1% from September, providing relief after declines since February 2026. Growth was driven by light commercial vehicles and extra-heavy commercial vehicles.
Exporters Western Cape has called for an urgent senior diplomatic and trade mission to Washington to avert South Africa’s impending exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, following the US mid-term elections.
The next six months will test how the food industry protects affordability while managing supply, costs and market access. Consumer pressure sets the boundaries.
Die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs se besluit oor hoe die liggingsdifferensiaal vir sojabone bereken moet word, plaas byna R700 miljoen se waarde op die spel, en daarom het Graan SA aansoek gedoen om ’n tussentydse hofbevel teen dié besluit.
South Africa is antagonising the United States, with which it has $28.8 billion in trade, while befriending Iran, with which it has $0.0118 billion in trade, and its poor international relations policies, including its close relationship with Iran, are having negative consequences.
Digital agriculture is expanding across Africa, with AI, sensors and blockchain helping farmers access information on weather, pests, markets and farm management, and offering particular promise for perishable horticulture where a late decision can cause major losses.
South Africa’s hemp industry is making meaningful progress towards expanding its international footprint, with the South African Agricultural Hemp Consortium announcing on 29 September 2026 an amendment to its offtake agreement with US-based buyer C-END, LLC, establishing supply arrangements for four international markets: the United States, European Union, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Volgens die WWF se Lewende Planeet-verslag van 2026 het gemonitorde gewerwelde dierebevolkings sedert 1970 wêreldwyd met gemiddeld 73% gedaal, met varswaterdiere die swaarste getref met ’n afname van 80 tot 90%. In die Wes-Kaap word 24 van die 37 inheemse varswater-visspesies nou bedreig, terwyl landdiere met 69% en seediere met 56% gedaal het.
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Cattle (Beef) – Carcass prices (R/kg, excl. VAT)
- A2/3 (young prime beef): R65.55
- B2/3: R59.71
- C2/3 (older): R58.87
- Weaner calves (live weight): R50.93
Sheep – Carcass prices (R/kg, excl. VAT)
- A2/3 Lamb: R113.83
- B2/3 Mutton: R87.29
- C2/3: R85.52
- Feeder lambs (live weight): R53.87
Pork – Carcass prices (R/kg, excl. VAT)
- Baconers: ≈ R30.30 – R30.50
- Porkers: ≈ R30.10 – R31.80
Chicken (producer / ex-abattoir estimates)
- Fresh whole bird: ≈ R35 – R41/kg
- Frozen whole bird / IQF: ≈ R32 – R36/kg
(Retail prices for whole chickens are typically higher, in the R55–R70/kg range.)
Notes
- These are producer/abattoir (farm-gate) prices, not retail supermarket prices.
- Prices can change weekly and vary by region, grade, and supply.
- Lamb remains the strongest performer, while beef has been under mild pressure. Pork and chicken are influenced by disease recovery and feed costs.
South African Grain & Oilseed Prices – 6 November 2026
(SAFEX / JSE settlement prices, Rand per tonne)
Main contracts (December 2026 where applicable)
Additional notes (nearby contracts / last traded)
- White Maize (Nov/Dec): around R3 820 – R3 833
- Yellow Maize (Nov/Dec): around R3 673 – R3 712
- Soybeans (Nov/Dec): around R8 800 – R8 865
- Sunflower (Nov/Dec): around R10 080 – R10 110
Summary
White maize firmed on the day, while yellow maize, wheat, soybeans and especially sunflower came under pressure. Sunflower saw the largest decline amid softer international seed markets.
These are official SAFEX settlement prices (excluding VAT and transport differentials). Actual farm-gate or delivered prices will differ by location and grade.
- Record 17.7 million tonne maize harvest confirmed – largest in South African history.
- Farmers slash white maize plantings by 18% as intense El Niño looms.
- Total maize area set to drop 12.4% – lowest in eight years.
- Sunflower plantings surge 44.6% as farmers flee maize risk.
- USDA projects 2026/27 maize crop to crash to 14.9 million tonnes.
- Ending maize stocks expected to halve under drought pressure.
- President Ramaphosa accelerates release of 2.5 million hectares of state land with full title deeds.
- R2 billion Integrated Land Reform Support Programme launched – R1.2 billion allocated this year.
- Title deeds finally replace short-term leases for black commercial farmers.
- AgriSA demands measurable results, not just land transfers.
- Fuel levy cut: diesel relief of R3/litre from 4 November offers temporary breathing room.
- High diesel and fertiliser costs still crushing 2026/27 planting budgets.
- Strong El Niño declared – major risk for Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
- Government raises contingency reserve to R10 billion for possible drought response.
- Soil moisture currently favourable – many farmers plant early before dryness sets in.
- SAFEX white maize crashes further – Dec contract at R3,775/t.
- Yellow maize, sunflower and soya all post sharp daily losses on 5 November.
- Ample stocks keep maize prices low despite drought fears.
- Agricultural exports post record Q2 surplus of US$2.14 billion.
- Horticulture drives 51% of agri exports – citrus and lemons surge.
- AGOA uncertainty hangs over US market access for citrus, wine and nuts.
- Zero-tariff access to China boosts exports 30% year-on-year.
- ARC study warns climate change may force redesign of traditional farming regions.
- Maize and citrus show strongest economic case for production relocation.
- 47% of wastewater works in critical condition – irrigation water quality under threat.
- University of Pretoria research links polluted rivers to contaminated spinach and leafy greens.
- Multidrug-resistant bacteria found on commercial and smallholder produce.
- Heavy metals detected in vegetables irrigated from mining-impacted rivers.
- Food safety risk to citrus export industry if pathogens detected in consignments.
- Extension services receive R1.5 billion boost over three years.
- Land Bank commits R500 million to blended finance for emerging farmers.
- Rural safety remains top priority as farm attacks continue to dominate farmer concerns.
- Livestock sector posts strongest quarterly growth at 27.9%.
- Red meat industry battles ongoing market-access and disease challenges.
- Winter crop outlook positive – barley, canola and oats up strongly.
- Wheat industry still faces structural profitability pressure.
- Non-revenue water losses remain stuck near 47% – major cost to agri-users.
- Farmers call for faster action on failing municipal sewage systems.
- Early planting underway in key summer grain regions despite El Niño warnings.
- Input cost inflation and low grain prices squeeze commercial farm margins.
- Smallholder farmers hardest hit by lack of affordable irrigation-water testing.
- Government roundtable identifies Free State and North West as highest drought-risk zones.
- Dam levels near 90% offer short-term buffer but do little for rain-fed crops.
- AgriSA congress pushes five clear policy mandates including rural safety and trade.
- Correctional Services signs MoU to expand prison agriculture and rehabilitation.
- Export diversification accelerates – Vietnam and Saudi Arabia show explosive growth.
- Maize-meal price inflation risk rises if white maize area cut becomes reality.
- Neighbouring countries watch SA stocks closely as regional supplier of last resort.
- Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture gain urgency in policy discussions.
- Sector remains resilient but faces perfect storm of weather, costs and policy uncertainty heading into 2027.
These stories dominate current South African agricultural discourse and would form the core of hard news coverage on 6 November 2026.
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The 2026/27 El Niño has rapidly intensified to very strong levels and is expected to cause major rainfall disruptions across FEWS NET regions.
Below-average rains have already hit unimodal East Africa, the Sahel, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Pakistan. Southern Africa is forecast to receive below-average rainfall from October 2026 to March 2027, while the Horn of Africa faces heavy rains and high flood risk from October to December 2026.
The worst food insecurity usually appears during the lean season that follows the rains, not during the rainy season itself. This lag makes El Niño a useful early-warning signal, giving governments and aid agencies time to deliver assistance before hunger peaks. Unimodal East Africa and Southern Africa are of greatest concern, where drought is expected to become the main driver of high food assistance needs in 2027.
Indirect effects through trade will also matter. Southern Africa faces risks via regional maize trade, while West Africa and Yemen are vulnerable through international imports. Globally, production of maize, wheat and rice has remained relatively stable in past strong El Niño years, with declines of no more than 3.9%. USDA projects 2026/27 output only 2.7% lower than the previous year, still the second-largest on record.
Food security is rarely driven by one factor alone. While El Niño will be a primary driver in some areas, other shocks also play a role. Beyond immediate impacts, the event can weaken household coping capacity and raise vulnerability to future crises. A possible shift to La Niña in mid-to-late 2027, though uncertain, should also be prepared for as it will bring a new set of rainfall risks.
South African Dam Levels Report – around 6 November 2026
National Overview
National dam storage remains healthy at approximately 95–96% of full capacity (latest official weekly figures from late October / early November showed 95.8–96%). Levels are slightly down week-on-week as the dry season progresses in summer-rainfall areas, but still well above the same period last year in most regions.
Provincial Averages (as of ~3 November 2026)
Cape Town Water Supply System (6 November 2026)
Combined major dams: 72.1%
(This is lower than the broader Western Cape average and about 14–16 percentage points below the same time last year.)
Key individual dams:
- Theewaterskloof: ≈ 72%
- Berg River: ≈ 94%
- Wemmershoek: ≈ 78%
- Voëlvlei: ≈ 53%
- Steenbras Upper: ≈ 100%
- Steenbras Lower: ≈ 45–47%
Key Notes
- Most summer-rainfall provinces (Free State, North West, Gauteng, etc.) remain near or above full capacity.
- Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are the main areas showing lower levels.
- The Department of Water and Sanitation continues to urge responsible water use, especially with the ongoing El Niño influence.
Latest Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Status Report – South Africa (as of early November 2026)
National Overview
FMD remains present across South Africa, although the intensity of new cases has slowed significantly in several provinces. As of the most recent comprehensive national figures (end of September 2026), there were 1 501 open (active) outbreaks and 1 370 closed/resolved outbreaks, for a cumulative total of approximately 2 871 reported outbreaks.
The disease is no longer dominating headlines as it did earlier in 2026, but unresolved outbreaks continue, particularly in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa is operating under an FMD-with-vaccination strategy after losing its previous FMD-free without vaccination status.
Provincial Snapshot (most recent available data)
Free State update (6 November 2026): No new cases reported in the past week. Cumulative confirmed cases stand at 804, with only 5 still under quarantine. Over 1.73–1.76 million cattle have received their first vaccination dose in the province.
Gauteng: Strong progress with a reported 96.9% reduction in outbreaks.
Eastern Cape: Continues intensive vaccination campaigns using Bioafogen and other vaccines. Wildlife involvement confirmed earlier (kudu and other species in Addo Elephant National Park).
Vaccination Progress
- National vaccination campaigns remain the primary control tool.
- Free State alone has vaccinated well over 1.7 million cattle.
- Farmers are encouraged to register for authorisation to vaccinate their own herds.
- The Agricultural Research Council has opened its vaccine intellectual property for private manufacturing to boost supply.
Key Control Measures in Place
- Movement restrictions and quarantine on affected properties.
- Updated control measures under the Animal Diseases Act (gazetted mid-2026).
- Risk-based vaccination strategy.
- Strict biosecurity protocols for farms, auctions, and transport.
- Ongoing surveillance, including in wildlife.
Outlook
Progress is evident in Free State and Gauteng, with fewer new cases. However, the high number of still-open outbreaks (especially in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal) means the situation requires continued vigilance. Export markets remain constrained, impacting the red meat sector.
The 2026/27 deciduous season is forecast to start 10-14 days earlier than usual after a warmer winter.
The 2026/27 stone fruit season has opened 1-2 weeks early, with total export volume projected down 3% year-on-year.Nectarines are up 9% to 13.81 million cartons. Apricots are up 2% to 766,000 cartons. Peaches are down 7% to 2.48 million cartons. Plums are down 8% to 14.58 million cartons. Cherries are expected down 10-15% from last season’s 490,000 cartons.
Apple shipments to China rose 52% year-on-year between January and August 2026 after China removed its 10% import duty on South African apples on 1 May 2026. Exports to India also rose 52%, despite a 50% import tariff.South Africa has also made its first table grape shipments to the Philippines, and is preparing first consignments to South Korea after securing market access this year. For cherries, China signed a protocol on 8 September 2026, but northern cherry exporters are expected to be excluded this season because final authorisation has not yet come through.
South Africa and Rwanda are set to lose duty-free access under AGOA from 1 January 2027. Deciduous fruit already faces a 12.5% US import duty, and table grape exports to the US plunged 84% in 2025/26, from about 9,886 tons to 1,609 tons. The US accounts for only about 5-6% of South Africa’s citrus export volumes, but it took 28.85% of litchi exports in 2025/26.5.
The Cape Town Container Terminal is preparing for the 2026/27 deciduous season from November 2026 to April 2027 with volumes expected up 13% on last season. This follows a difficult 2025/26 season when about 55,000 tons of table grapes were diverted via Eastern Cape ports due to delays at Cape Town.6. Blueberries: early northern crop doing well
The 2026 blueberry season started favourably in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West, with good yields, quality and export prices. Northern production now accounts for about half of South Africa’s blueberry acreage and harvests before Peru’s peak. Peru’s 2026/27 export forecast has been cut to around 344,000 tons, more than 10% below last season, which could help South Africa in the Oct-Dec window.
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OOM KERNEELS
Van die Plaas af:
Die week se weer was darem 'n ding, nè? Eers die blitse en die donder wat so ruk-ruk oor die veld rol, toe die reën met daai sterk wind wat alles sommer skuins waai. Ons is dankbaar vir elke druppel, want ons weet hoe kosbaar water is. Maar daai hitte daarna... ai, daai hitte vreet die vog so gou-gou uit die grond uit, dan lyk dit of dit nooit eers gereën het nie.
Die weer laat my dink aan 1984. Toe het dit ook net daar in die ooste gereën en die res van ons het maar net na die wolke gekyk en gehoop. Ons sal oorleef. Ons het altyd oorleef. 'n Boer oorleef nie omdat dit maklik is nie, hy oorleef omdat hy nie anders kan nie. Ons planter is reg en dit lyk my of ek sommer in volgenden week aal gaan begin plant. As ek sien hoeveel geld gooi ek in grond- dan begin ek wonder of ek nog ek is. Stoffel my seun is darem nou beheer van die boerdery- maar ek moet hom so nou dan terug kry na die realiteit- want hy glo dat jy alles op APP kan kry.
Die ANC regering se manne en vrouens en hulle meelopers het hulleself lekker verryk uit ons hardverdiende belastinggeld en daar kry hulle toe 'n groot pakslae by die stembus. Ons mooi land is vernietig in 32 jaar- en die opperhoof se klimaatverandering is oorsaak van die paaie en infrastukture wat vernietig is - een ook die oorsaak is van die slaggate- BID JOU AAN.
Baie dankbaar bly dat ons mense in die land reg begin stem het en die land wil omdraai- die politiek leiers moet nou staan by hulle beloftes en hulle persoonlike geskille eenkant sit. Van die politieke leiers dink hulle het nou mag- as ek so na hulle luister op Televisie en blameer van hulle nog mekaar. Die slim politieke leiers wat verloor het is nou baie slim en blameer almal behalwe hulle self en hulle uitdagende praatjies en driegemente is aan ons almal bekend. Hulle BLAF net. Ongelukkig is baie min van hulle nog opgevoed en integriteit ontbreek by byna almal. Ons het uitstekende jong leiers wat wil werk en ons land wil omdraai en hulle hert ons steun nodig.
Ek is ook bly daar is darem iewers verandering. Ek hoop dat hulle nou meer geleerde en eerlike mense aanstel om ons dorpies te bestuur wat nog steeds onder hulle is. Dis 'n skande, hoe ons dorpies verval het. Paaie vol gate, straatligte wat nie werk nie, water wat nie loop nie en dit wat loop lek iewers uit en het stank. Ons moet dit omdraai, anders is daar niks oor vir ons kinders nie.
Ek was nou die ander dag by ons begraafplaas- al die yster penne wat die nommers van die grafte aandui is gesteel en verkoop as ou yster.
Ons boere in Suid-Afrika kry die minste ondersteuning van die regering, as jy dit vergelyk met boere in ander lande. Maar ons is dankbaar vir ons nuwe minister wat darem sy kant bring en nie huiwer om namens ons te praat nie. Dis darem 'n verandering om iemand te hê wat nie skaam is om vir die boer op te staan nie.
Hier op die platteland het ons jongmense darem nog maniere en respekteer mense, veral die ouer geslag. In die stad is dit 'n ander storie. Hande in die sakke, "jy en jou", nie eers moeite doen om op te staan om jou te groet nie. Dis hartseer. Jou kind is maar net 'n refleksie van wie en wat jy is. As die ouers nie meer respek leer nie, waar moet die kind dit leer?
Respek begin by die huis, by die kombuistafel, by hoe pa en ma met mekaar en met ouma en oupa praat.
Ek en Getruida gaan die week vir die kinders kuier sin Pretoria - en oppad somme by haar suster ook 'n draai maak in Parys. Die is ou jong nooi en vol ippikonders.- Gelukkig is dit 'n koppie tee drink en luister en dalk is sy nie te suinig om ons van haar gemmerkoekies te gee nie.
Groete uit die Vrystaat- en ons hoop die week is daar water- uit die hemel
Tot volgende week.
Mag julle almal ’n lekker week he ons gesels weer. OOM Kerneels.
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