-Welcome to our world- the real world of Farming and Agriculture in South Africa- Local and International news- (Farmingportal.-162,000 hits per minute)
This AGRI NEWS RUSH -Some of the news stories of this week-, SUNDAY EDITION - ALWAYS ON TIME - AGRI NEWS RUSH is now one of the most read Articles on a Sunday
Livestock and crop producers across the Western, Southern, and Eastern Cape are assessing extensive damage following a series of intense storms that brought gale-force winds, torrential rainfall, and severe flooding.
Die vlak van die Laer-Oranjerivier by Blouputs het Vrydagoggend op 4,11 meter gestaan, op van 3,92 meter die vorige dag. By Sendelingsdrift was die vlak 4,25 m, ‘n styging van 3,75 m Donderdag. Die Paaie-owerheid het Vrydag die C13-grondpad tussen Rosh Pinah en Aussenkehr gesluit weens oorstroming deur die Oranjerivier.
A strong cold front is expected to strike the Western Cape on Sunday, then spread eastwards into southern parts of the country. This system follows closely on the heels of recent stormy weather caused by a cut-off low-pressure system.The South African Weather Service has issued warnings for:Disruptive and heavy rainfall across the western Western Cape from Sunday to Tuesday.
South African agriculture finds itself at a critical crossroads as global trade shifts, tariffs and geopolitical tensions increasingly determine winners and losers in international markets. The sector can no longer afford to merely react to decisions made by major powers and must instead actively shape its own trade future
The ongoing war between the United States and Iran has severely disrupted fertilizer supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for urea, ammonia, and sulfur exports. This has triggered sharp price spikes and is forcing farmers worldwide to cut fertilizer use, switch to lower-input crops, or reduce planting — raising risks for wheat, corn, and barley output in the 2026 season.
Approximately 75% of South Africa’s oilseeds and grains are transported by road, with maize (80%), wheat (75%), and soybeans (70%) showing particularly high dependence on road transport.
Volgens die Sentrale Energiefonds se middelmaand-data sal dieselpryse na verwagting in Junie daal, wat verligting aan boere, logistieke ondernemings en motoriste sal bied. Petrolpryse sal na verwagting met tussen 13 en 19 sent per liter styg, terwyl diesel met tussen R3,52 en R4,41-sent per liter kan daal.
Modern agriculture is no longer only about tractors, livestock, and crop production. As farms become more connected through digital systems, precision equipment, sensors, and automated management tools, agriculture is increasingly exposed to cyber threats that can affect real-world operations.
When the South African farming sector performs well, interconnected industries such as vehicle sales, tractors, and combine harvesters also benefit. This is often visible in increased demand for new bakkies and agricultural machinery.Strong agricultural production in 2024 and 2025 supported robust sales in these sectors, with tractor and combine harvester sales remaining solid into April 2026.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly defended Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), stating that the policy enables black-owned businesses to grow and create jobs, and that claims it hinders economic growth are misguided. He argued that opposition to BEE stems from a desire for white economic control.
South Africa’s grain industry is under increasing financial pressure as producers face rising costs, weaker commodity prices, and tighter access to financing. At NAMPO Harvest Day in Bothaville, discussions highlighted growing concern around the long-term sustainability of grain farming as many producers work with shrinking margins.
’n Riglyn van die Omsigtigheidsowerheid (D11-2025), wat in 2025 deur die Nasionale Tesourie ingestel is, plaas toenemende druk op Suid-Afrikaanse boerderye. Die riglyn handel oor die herstrukturering en streng rapportering van lenings aan kliënte wat finansiële probleme ondervind en is gebaseer op Europese wetgewing.
South Africa’s illicit fuel trade is increasingly affecting agriculture, with adulterated “dirty diesel” posing a serious threat to farmers. Criminal networks are blending diesel with cheaper substances like paraffin or low-grade fuels and selling it as legitimate diesel, a practice that has grown into a large-scale and sophisticated operation.
Biosecurity has emerged as one of the most critical challenges facing South African agriculture in 2026. The absence of cloven-hoofed animals at this year’s NAMPO Harvest Day highlighted the serious impact of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on the livestock sector.
Efficient fertiliser use starts with asking whether you are applying the right nutrients, in the right place, at the right time, and in the right amounts. A good understanding of soil health, pH levels, and the specific needs of the crop is essential.
Die oorstromings in die Robertson-vallei, veral met die Breede-rivier, reuse skade aangerig. Van Loveren-wyne se besturende direkteur Phillip Retief, sê dat oorstromings 1,3 miljoen bottels wyn in hulle kelder vernietig het en, dat sommige sê dis die ergste oorstromings in meer as ‘n eeu.
Seasonal climate models are indicating the possible development of a strong El Niño event during 2026, with forecasts pointing to shifts in global temperature and rainfall patterns. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), El Niño is expected to develop from the middle of the year.
Minister John Steenhuisen presents his department’s nearly R8 billion budget to Parliament on Friday, an opportunity few agriculture ministers receive: to reposition the sector at the centre of South Africa’s economic conversation.
South Africa’s wheat industry is under significant pressure. A record global wheat harvest of 844 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season has kept international and local prices low. At the same time, farmers face sharply rising input costs, particularly fertiliser and fuel, due to the Middle East conflict.
South Africa’s wheat industry is under significant pressure. A record global wheat harvest of 844 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season has kept international and local prices low. At the same time, farmers face sharply rising input costs, particularly fertiliser and fuel, due to the Middle East conflict.
Farmers in the Kliprand area of the Western Cape are deeply concerned about the future of their boreholes after a mining company was granted a licence to extract one million litres of water per day. The Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine received the licence in 2019 and plans to start full extraction in 2027. The licence allows pumping for 10 years
NOTE -
If you are using our content in your media coverage or on any agricultural radio programme, we would greatly appreciate it if you could credit the source. We understand how valuable and convenient this information can be—especially on a Monday morning after a weekend of NO WORK .
These are grounded in current 2026 developments, including record 2025 exports, strong 2025-26 crop prospects under favourable weather, rising input costs from geopolitical tensions, agritech momentum, and mixed sentiment.
Production, Weather & Crop Outlook
- La Niña Conditions Deliver Strong Soil Moisture as SA Eyes Near-Record 2025-26 Summer Grains Harvest Around 20 Million Tonnes
- South Africa’s 2025-26 Summer Crop Prospects Remain Robust Despite Slight Dip from Previous Season’s Peak
- Winter Wheat Forecast at 2 Million Tonnes for 2025-26 as Western Cape Faces Mixed Weather Impacts
- Record Soybean and Oilseed Plantings Underway in South Africa Amid Shift to High-Value Crops
- Favourable Rainfall Supports SA Horticulture Boom Entering Key Export Window
Exports & Trade
- SA Agricultural Exports Hit Record $15.1 Billion in 2025, Up 10% Year-on-Year, Horticulture Leads Surge
- Citrus Remains SA’s Export Star as Country Cements Position as World’s Largest Exporter
- Middle East Tensions Disrupt Global Fertiliser Supply, Prompting SA Farmers to Seek Alternatives
- AfCFTA Drives Stronger SA Agri Exports to African Markets Reaching R94 Billion in 2025
- SA Diversifies Agri Exports to Asia and BRICS as Geopolitical Risks Cloud Traditional Routes
Challenges & Input Costs
- Fertiliser Prices Spike Up to 59% in South Africa Following Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
- Agricultural Machinery Sales Slump in Early 2026 as Farmer Sentiment Dips Below Neutral
- Grain Farmers Warn of Profitability Squeeze from Rising Inputs and Global Price Pressures
- Port Logistics and Infrastructure Bottlenecks Continue to Challenge SA Agricultural Exporters
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Biosecurity Issues Pressure Livestock Sector Recovery
Agritech & Innovation
- Agritec Africa 2026 Success Positions South Africa as Africa’s Premier Agritech Innovation Hub
- AI Drones and Precision Farming Tools Gain Ground Across Millions of Hectares in SA
- Offline-First IoT and Edge-AI Solutions Transform Smallholder Farming in Remote SA Regions
- Nampo 2026 Highlights Advances in Autonomous Machinery and Climate-Smart Technologies
- Tiny ML and Sensor Tech Offer New Precision Irrigation Hope for SA Smallholders
Sustainability, Policy & Markets
- Sustainable and Regenerative Practices Accelerate as Global Buyers Demand Greener SA Produce
- Smallholder Mechanisation Push Targets 85% Coverage by 2028 with Government and Private Support
- SA Agri Market Valued at $0.94 Billion in 2026, Forecast to Grow at 6.6% CAGR Through 2031
- Wine, Macadamia, and Berry Exports Thrive on Strong International Demand and Quality Standards
- Climate Resilience and Soil Health Initiatives Gain Momentum Among Commercial and Emerging Farmers
Broader Sector Trends
- Mixed Q1 2026 Performance: Strong Field Crops Offset Livestock and Sentiment Challenges
- South African Agriculture Maintains Positive Long-Term Outlook Despite Short-Term Headwinds
- Rising Focus on Biological Inputs and Compost as Fertiliser Costs Soar
- Agri Processing and Value-Addition Expand to Capture More Domestic and Export Value
- 2026 Outlook: SA Balances Record Export Momentum with Input Cost Management and Tech Adoption
These headlines reflect a sector showing resilience with record exports and good production prospects, tempered by input cost volatility, logistics issues, and uneven sentiment. South Africa continues to lead in key exports like citrus while advancing agritech adoption to address climate and efficiency challenges. Actual headlines on May 15 would tie to the latest Crop Estimate Committee updates, weather reports, or market releases.
READ MORE ( Stats) Listen to all our Daily Audiocast - It is doing very good. But also see that some news mediums like to follow us.
MORE GOOD NEWS - AUDIO AGRI NEWS NET which was selected by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Agriculture Podcasts, Top 100 Farming Podcasts and Top 100 Sustainable Agriculture Podcasts on the web. READ MORE
An El Niño event is expected to develop from mid-2026, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Sea-surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific are rising rapidly, with forecasts indicating a likely return of El Niño conditions as early as May–July 2026.El Niño typically brings warmer global temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns. This includes increased chances of heatwaves, heavy rainfall in parts of southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa, and central Asia, while drier conditions are likely over Australia, Indonesia, and parts of southern Asia.During the boreal summer, there may be more hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific, but fewer in the Atlantic.WMO notes that it does not use the term “super El Niño,” as it is not part of its standardized classifications. A full El Niño Update will be released in late May, after the so-called “spring predictability barrier.”
WATCH OUT- NEW program on the way - exclusive to CRA MEDIA and the FARMERS of South Africa - 2026
- Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 May: Partly cloudy skies are expected across much of the country. Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible in the north-eastern regions (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal) and central areas. The rest of the country should stay mostly dry. Daytime temperatures will be comfortable, generally reaching the upper teens to low 20s (°C).
- Mid to late week (21–24 May): Conditions remain largely settled and dry in most provinces. Morning fog patches are likely over the interior and Highveld at times. Temperatures will stay mild during the day (18–23°C in many areas) with cooler nights, especially in the interior and western parts.
- Western Cape (including Cape Town): Mild and mostly sunny with daytime highs around 19–21°C.
- Gauteng / Johannesburg: Cool mornings (around 8–10°C), daytime highs near 20–22°C.
- KwaZulu-Natal & Eastern Cape: Slightly warmer, with a higher chance of scattered showers early in the week.
- Interior / Free State, Northern Cape: Cool nights, pleasant daytime temperatures.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by CRA and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.Just for your information. - We need to share this as this is part of Farming and Agriculture.
AGRI NEWS NET stands as South Africa’s leading source for farming and agriculture news, delivering trusted, up-to-date content 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With over 50 “good news stories you can trust,” the platform is driven by 30 years of practical farming and media experience, ensuring a deep understanding of the needs and realities of farmers and the agricultural sector. AGRI NEWS NET prides itself on being committed, independent, focused, and always on time. As part of the CRA Group, the platform leverages its extensive expertise to provide reliable, farmer-centric news. Its content is compiled using advanced AI technology, ensuring accuracy and relevance while staying connected to the broader global farming and agriculture community. For the third consecutive year, AGRI NEWS NET’s Daily Audiocast has been ranked among the top 15 agricultural podcasts on Feedspot, a testament to its quality and impact. The audiocast delivers concise, engaging updates, making it a go-to resource for farmers, industry professionals, and agriculture enthusiasts seeking timely insights. With a focus on “good news stories,” AGRI NEWS NET highlights positive developments, innovations, and successes in South African agriculture. Rooted in real-world farming knowledge and media expertise, AGRI NEWS NET bridges the gap between farmers, policymakers, and the public. Its AI-driven platform ensures comprehensive coverage, from local issues . By focusing on practical, trustworthy content, AGRI NEWS NET empowers the agricultural community to stay informed and inspired.
Today, I delivered the Budget Vote Speech for the Department of Agriculture where I reflected on the story of South African agriculture.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 15, 2026
Over the past year, the sector has demonstrated resilience in the face of global volatility, tightening margins, and structural constraints.… pic.twitter.com/5tdz2ZoaWZ
