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The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has launched legal action against the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to scrap the 72,000-tonne annual US poultry import quota under AGOA.SAPA argues that local producers cannot compete with US bone-in chicken.
Watervlakke langs Namibië se groot riviere bly hoog ondanks geringe dalings wat Vrydag aangeteken is. Die Benede-Oranjerivier by Blouputs het tot 3,05 meter gestyg vanaf 2,95 meter Donderdag, terwyl Sendelingsdrift van 3,98 meter tot 3,69 meter gedaal het.
Last week’s severe floods and high winds have caused significant devastation across key agricultural regions in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, with serious implications for fruit exports.
Die graderingsagentskap Moody's het die vooruitsig vir Suid-Afrika se gradering van stabiel na positief verander. Die agentskap het egter die land se algehele kredietgradering op 'n sub-beleggingsgraad van B-A-2 gehandhaaf – wat twee kerwe onder beleggingsgraad is.
The number of confirmed Foot-and-Mouth Disease (BKS) cases in the Free State has risen to 593 as of Friday. The province’s mass vaccination campaign continues to accelerate, with more than 1.1 million vaccine doses already received.According to the latest figures, 563,806 cattle have been vaccinated since the outbreak began — an increase of nearly 50,000 from the previous week.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed the new supplementary citrus phytosanitary agreement between South Africa and China, signed on 10 April 2026, as a significant boost for the province’s citrus industry and the broader economy.The agreement simplifies export requirements and improves market access to China.
South African motorists and farmers face a split outcome in fuel prices for June. Diesel consumers are set for significant relief, while petrol drivers will see little change or slight increases. According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on 21 May 2026, international diesel and paraffin prices have dropped sharply during May.
Scientists are closely monitoring conditions in the Pacific Ocean that could lead to a strong or even "super" El Niño event between late 2026 and early 2027. El Niño develops when unusually warm ocean water moves eastward across the tropical Pacific, disrupting global weather patterns and often leading to severe droughts in some regions and destructive flooding in others.
Die 2026-druiweoes word as ’n keerpunt vir die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf beskou. Volgens South Africa Wine verskuif die fokus van blote veerkragtigheid na groei en nuwe geleenthede.Die oes word op 1,37 miljoen ton geraam — ’n matige herstel van 2025.
Botswana’s frequent import bans on South African fruits and vegetables reflect a broader challenge within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). While aimed at protecting local farmers and improving food security, these non-tariff barriers contradict the spirit of free trade within SACU, disrupt South African exporters, and raise costs for Botswana consumers.
South Africa’s celebration of becoming the world’s largest citrus exporter was short-lived. On 15 May 2026, the country officially overtook Spain after exporting a record 2.9 million tonnes in 2025.
Wandile Sihlobo criticises Botswana’s frequent import bans on South African fruits and vegetables, describing them as protectionist and contrary to the spirit of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which promotes free trade among members.
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Expanding poultry exports has become a critical national priority for South Africa, not just an industry objective. It is seen as essential for earning foreign currency, creating large-scale employment, and building a more resilient agricultural sector.Currently, South Africa exports only 2–3% of its chicken production (around 50 000 tons annually), almost entirely to neighbouring countries.
South Africa has become a global powerhouse in the macadamia industry, supplying nearly 25% of the world’s total production. While citrus and beef often steal the headlines, the nut sector has quietly built a high-value export empire known as “Brown Gold”.
Voedselprysinflasie het in April tot die laagste vlak in 14 maande gedaal. Volgens Statistieke Suid-Afrika se jongste syfers het inflasie vir kos en nie-alkoholiese drank van 3,6% in Maart na 2,9% in April verlangsaam.Minister John Steenhuisen verwelkom die verligting vir verbruikers, maar waarsku dat boere die finansiële skok absorbeer. Hoewel verbruikers by die toonbank baat, word produsente swaar getref deur stygende energiekoste.
The University of California, Davis has revived the spirit of the legendary 1976 “Judgment of Paris” with the “Judgment of Davis” — a modern, scientifically rigorous blind tasting of top global Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Suid-Afrikaanse graanprodusente staan voor ’n strategiese keerpunt: produksiedoeltreffendheid groei vinniger as wat die plaaslike mark kan absorbeer. Die toekoms van winsgewendheid lê nie meer net in groter produksie nie, maar in effektiewe mededinging op internasionale markte.
The South African maize industry recently concluded its 2025-26 marketing year with a substantial harvest of approximately 16.5 million tonnes, heavily supported by favorable La Niña rainfall and extensive plantings. This ample supply comfortably exceeded South Africa's domestic annual consumption requirement of about 12.0 million tonnes, initially sparking strong optimism for an aggressive export season.
With Tongaat Hulett’s liquidation hearing approaching, a grower-led entity called GrowerCo has been established to secure funding and keep the company’s mills and refinery operational, preventing the potential collapse of large parts of South Africa’s sugar industry.
A report by Solidarity Research Institute titled Mining Mischief: How transformation killed the golden goose argues that transformation policies, especially Black Economic Empowerment, have played a major role in the decline of South Africa’s mining industry.
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30 Key Headlines: South African Agriculture, Farming & Agritech – Friday, 22 May 2026
- Food inflation drops to 14-month low of 2.9%, but rising fuel prices hammer farmers
- NAMPO Oesdag 2026 draws record 81 822 visitors despite heavy rain
- GrowerCo launches rescue plan to prevent Tongaat Hulett liquidation
- Macadamia industry now supplies 25% of global production
- US wheat crop forecast at lowest level in decades – opportunity for SA grain exports?
- SA maize harvest expected at 16.8–17.1 million tons, strong export surplus projected
- Fertilizer prices remain volatile as Middle East conflict disrupts supplies
- South Africa and Botswana strengthen agricultural trade ties at Bi-National Commission
- Record fuel price hikes threaten profitability of grain, fruit and livestock sectors
- SA wine shines at Judgment of Davis – Oldenburg Vineyards takes 2nd in Chardonnay
- PwC forecasts R582 billion infrastructure spend in SA agriculture-related sectors by 2050
- Groundnut farmers in North West lose nearly half of crop due to excessive harvest rains
- Chicken exports could treble with government support – new growth frontier
- Grain producers urged to focus on exports and value addition as local demand plateaus
- New international handbook on farmer organisations launched in Berlin by Dr Theo de Jager
- Diesel price surge of 35% puts massive pressure on farming input costs
- SA poultry sector eyes massive export expansion opportunity
- Climate volatility: Extreme weather events continue to challenge summer crop harvest
- Agritech investment rises as farmers turn to precision farming to cut costs
- Small-scale sugarcane growers push for equity stake in Tongaat Hulett rescue deal
- Botswana import bans on SA fruit and veg spark renewed SACU tensions
- South Africa’s agricultural exports reach record levels despite logistical challenges
- Youth leadership programmes critical for future of organised agriculture
- Data centres and digital infrastructure set to transform rural agricultural economy
- Red meat prices ease as foot-and-mouth disease control measures take effect
- Calls grow for urgent review of SACU to unlock SA’s export potential
- NAMPO Kaap 2026 dates announced as agriculture show circuit gains momentum
- Sustainable farming practices gain traction amid rising input costs
- Family farmers and commercial producers unite in push for policy certainty
- Long-term outlook: SA agriculture must compete globally or risk stagnation
These headlines reflect the dominant themes in South African agriculture right now: weather risks, input costs, export opportunities, industry rescues, and the push for transformation and competitiveness.
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- 25–28 May:
- Mostly dry and settled weather expected over much of the interior.
- Fog patches likely in the mornings, especially over the western, south-western, and north-eastern interior.
- Daytime temperatures in the high teens to low 20s (°C) in Gauteng and the Highveld (e.g. Johannesburg around 18–20°C).
- Cooler along the coast, especially the Western Cape.
- 29–31 May:
- Increased chance of light showers and cooler conditions, particularly in the central and southern interior.
- Possible isolated thundershowers over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Western Cape (Cape Town): Cool autumn/winter weather — daytime highs around 17–20°C, lows 10–13°C. Mostly dry but with occasional light rain possible.
- Gauteng / Johannesburg: Mild days (18–21°C), cooler nights. Foggy mornings common.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Mild to warm, with a higher chance of scattered showers towards the end of the month.
- Northern & Eastern interior: Mostly fine with some fog, warming slightly in the Lowveld.
- South Africa is heading into a dryer winter in the southwestern and southern Cape regions (below-normal rainfall expected).
- Eastern coastal areas may see above-normal rainfall.
- Temperatures are forecast to be mostly above-normal for the season in many parts of the country.
- Frost is likely in the interior on clear winter nights.
- Fertilizer Price Index: Rose sharply in Q1 2026 and reached its highest level since October 2022 by April. The index stood at 208.70 in April 2026 (World Bank).
- Key Price Trends (as of mid-May 2026):
- Urea: Strong gains — around $577–$600+/ton, up significantly year-on-year. Projected to rise nearly 60% for the full year 2026.
- DAP: Trading around $790–$850/ton, with moderate increases.
- MOP (Potash): More stable but still up around 12% for 2026.
- Outlook: The World Bank projects the overall fertilizer price index to rise more than 30% in 2026 before easing in 2027 as new supply comes online. Risks remain high if the Hormuz disruptions persist.
- Local prices have risen in line with global trends, driven by higher import costs and elevated freight rates.
- Farmers are particularly concerned as fertilizer makes up a large portion of input costs (around 35% for grain farmers).
- The next major buying season for the 2026/27 summer crops starts from August–October 2026, meaning current high prices will directly affect the upcoming planting season.
- No major physical shortages reported yet, but elevated prices are squeezing margins and raising fears of reduced application rates or higher food inflation later.
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OOM KERNEELS
NAMPO is een van die beste beleggings wat Suid-Afrika se boere en landbougemeenskap ooit gemaak het. Wat in die 1960’s en 1970’s begin is deur vooruitdenkende boere, het oor dekades gegroei tot een van die grootste en mees gerespekteerde landbouskoue in die wêreld.
Baie van die manne wat die fondament van NAMPO gelê het, is vandag in hul sewentigs en tagtigs, en baie is ongelukkig nie meer met ons nie. Maar hul visie leef voort.
Deur die jare het landbou en sy mense die Oesdag gebou, ondersteun en ontwikkel tot ’n trotse simbool van professionaliteit, harde werk en samewerking. Sestig jaar later bars NAMPO uit sy nate. Mense van oral in Suid-Afrika en selfs uit ander lande kom om dit te beleef. Vandag lyk die skare soms meer soos ’n stadse uitstalling met korporatiewe reuse, uitstallers en besoekers van oral, maar diep binne-in bly dit steeds die trots van die boer en die kinders van die geslagte wat dit opgebou het.
NAMPO Kaap is nog ’n voorbeeld van wat gebeur wanneer landbou en sy gemeenskappe saamwerk. Jaar na jaar groei dit verder en word dit ’n toonbeeld van netheid, organisasie, professionaliteit en die visie van Suid-Afrika se boere. Dis belangrik dat dit in die hande van ons landbouers bly.
Daar was ’n tyd toe byna elke klein dorpie in Suid-Afrika sy eie skou, fees of byeenkoms gehad het — iets wat die gemeenskap saamgebind het en trots geskep het. Vandag, ná 32 jaar van swak bestuur, korrupsie en verval, is baie dorpe bankrot. Geboue wat met trots opgerig is, staan verwaarloos, sportvelde verval, koshuise sluit, skole word afgebreek, kerke staan leeg en selfs begraafplase word gesteel en verniel.
Mens moet eerlik vra: wat is in die laaste 32 jaar werklik gebou wat boere en gemeenskappe nader aan mekaar gebring het? Ons praat nie van groot musiekfeeste of politieke byeenkomste nie. Ons praat van die dinge wat ’n dorp sy identiteit, trots en samehorigheid gegee het. Daar is nog baie ander boeredae en skoue in verskeie dorpe en dit is hoogs suksesvol omdat dit in die hande van die boeregemeenskap is. Bloemfontein en talle ander dorpe se skoue bestaan nog en omdat dit professioneel en met trots aangebied word is dit suksesvol.
Dit voel soms asof jonger geslagte die waarde van tradisie vergeet het. Maar tradisie is nie iets oudmodies nie — dit is die fondament van enige samelewing. Sonder dit verloor mense hul identiteit, hul geskiedenis en hul gemeenskapsgevoel.
Dorpe het iets nodig wat mense weer saambring — trots, identiteit, samewerking en ’n gevoel dat daar nog iets is om voor te bou en te beskerm. NAMPO bewys dat wanneer mense saamwerk met visie en trots, iets buitengewoons oor geslagte heen gebou kan word.
Wees wakker -
Groete Oom Kerneels.
