Microplastics are in our fertilisers and soils, yet we know next to nothing about their environmental and health impacts      World Farming Agriculture and Commodity news - Short update 22nd December 2025      Grain market review: Wheat      WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- South Africa enters 2026 carrying a heavy burden of unresolved problems.       AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 21 Desember 2025       Dynamic Potassium Management in Soils with Variable CEC      Could ants be the solution to antibiotic crisis?      And then there is the Gerenuk…      5 global shopping trends shaping the produce business in 2026      A Soil-Science Revolution Upends Plans to Fight Climate Change     
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  • South Africa port crisis: Berthing delays, shortages of containers and hauliers

    Harbour personnel are cautiously optimistic that the situation will start improving at Ngqura Port Terminal (NPT), but it will take two weeks, at the least, to get back on schedule. Staffing shortages and low productivity at all of the country’s containers terminals mean that Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) will have to work around the clock to stabilise the situation and avoid a severe build-up of vessels that cannot get berthing slots.

  • Tru-Cape searches for solutions to Cape Town Port crisis

    As far back as December 2019, inefficiency at Cape Town’s port was highlighted by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism who convened a meeting at the Cape Town International Convention Centre with key stakeholders representing the entire port logistics chain, from exporters and importers, to trucking companies, the respective divisions of Transnet, Navis, SARS and shipping lines, as well as representatives from the City of Cape Town.

  • Continuing inefficiencies at Port of Cape Town a risk for agricultural exports

    Following my recent meeting with the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), I wish to register my concern about the current state of service delivery at the Port of Cape Town and its potential negative impact on the export of agricultural products.

  • VIEWPOINT- South Africa goat market

    South Africa leads the world in mohair production, supplying about 75% of premium Angora goat fibre, yet the goat meat and dairy sectors remain largely underdeveloped and informal. The Department of Agriculture recently presented plans to Parliament for commercialisation, including a breeding centre for improved genetics, fixed/mobile slaughter and processing facilities, a meat classification system, and a cold chain in partnership with producers and retailers—though no timelines were given.Official estimates put the national goat herd at ~7.8 million, but experts like Rauri Alcock of the Goat Agribusiness Project suggest over 6 million are in undocumented communal systems, making the industry far larger than recorded.
    South Africa holds 56% of SADC goat stocks but <3% of Africa's due to underreporting; data is outdated and inconsistent.
    The value chain is predominantly informal: live goats and meat are sold cash at taxi ranks or homes, with only ~0.05% reaching formal abattoirs. High demand for live goats (used in ceremonies, especially in KwaZulu-Natal with ~2 million annually and 34% of goat-owning households) drives imports of ~150,000 animals yearly, mainly from Namibia. Goat meat fetches ~40% more per kg than mutton.Previous commercialisation projects (Umzimbuvu, Kgalagadi Dipudi, Kalahari Kid) have failed. Critics note government focuses on large-scale initiatives, overlooking rural "emerging" farmers who don't fit commercial definitions for tenders. Formalising the sector could unlock significant economic potential in rural areas.
    VIEWPOINT- Reconciliation Day in South Africa 2025
    South Africa boasts a diverse goat farming sector, leading globally inmohair production (about 75% of premium supply from Angora goats) while meat and dairy remain largely informal and underdeveloped. The national herd is estimated at ~7.8 million heads, with over 6 million in undocumented communal systems (primarily rural Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo) and ~1.8 million commercial.Commercial breeds dominate structured farming: Boer (top meat breed), Kalahari Red, Savanna (hardy, adaptable meat goats), and Angora (mohair).
    Indigenous veld goats (~65–70% of total) thrive in extensive communal systems, valued for resilience, cultural ceremonies (e.g., ~2 million used annually in KZN), and low-input needs.Production focuses on meat (high informal demand; goat ~40% pricier than mutton), with only ~0.05% slaughtered formally. Annual slaughter ~3 million (mostly informal); imports ~150,000 live goats/year (mainly Namibia) fill gaps. Mohair is processed in Gqeberha for export.
    Challenges include outdated/underreported stats, failed commercialisation projects, disease risks, theft, and government focus on large-scale initiatives overlooking rural "emerging" farmers ineligible for tenders.Opportunities lie in formalising the value chain (breeding centres, processing, classification proposed by Department of Agriculture), cultural/live animal demand, exports (genetics/meat), and niche dairy. Informal sales (cash at taxi ranks/homes) show untapped economic potential for rural livelihoods.The sector blends tradition with commercial potential, supporting food security and rural economies.
    Despite hurdles, goat farming remains a vital, adaptable enterprise supporting food security and rural economies, with cultural significance adding unique demand strength. Many farmers thrive through resilience and informal networks.
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    Every week, our flagship Viewpoint article is now shared with33 international media houses across continents. These partners translate and publish the content in12 international languages, putting South Africa's farming stories, challenges and triumphs in front ofthousands of readers worldwide.
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    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.

  • South Africa’s port and logistics crisis: 11 things to understand

    This week, almost 100 vessels were anchored outside ports, victims of a logistics nightmare that is costing the economy more than R1bn a day. ANNELIESE BURGESS tries to understand what is going on and where the solutions lie.

  • VIEWPOINT -South African Ports Face Challenges and Opportunities Amid Surge in Cape of Good Hope Rerouting

    The World Shipping Council (WSC) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) have reported a significant increase in vessel traffic rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) due to ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea, driven by Houthi attacks disrupting Suez Canal transits.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- The G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025: A Turning Point for Farming and Agriculture

    The G20 Leaders' Summit, scheduled for November 22–23, 2025, in Johannesburg, marks a historic milestone as the first time the forum is hosted on African soil under South Africa's presidency.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- South Africa getting first NEW harbour in 30 years

    Port Shepstone’s new harbour is sold as awatershed moment –R4 billion injection,5,800 jobs,R1.85 billion GDP lift, and a lifeline for neglected coasts. Deputy Minister Zikalala’sSEDF maps revival fromPort Nolloth toPort St Johns, tapping3,000km of coastline where small harbours already out-haul Durban and Cape Town.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- Summary: G20 in South Africa – Glamour vs Real Impact

    While the G20 Leaders’ Summit (21–23 November 2025) brings presidents, prime ministers and massive delegations to Johannesburg at huge taxpayer cost (security, logistics, venues, travel), many South Africans are asking the same blunt question: beyond the photo-ops, luxury hotels and motorcades, will any of these leaders actually fix the problems ordinary people face?

  • VIEWPOINT- 7,2 million cattle to be vaccinated in South Africa ?

    The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) warmly welcomes Minister John Steenhuisen’s announcement that South Africa will now vaccinate the entire national cattle herd of approximately 7.2 million animals against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- We Need to Protect Our Habitat and Wildlife – Now More Than Ever

    The African Wildlife Foundation identifies habitat loss as the continent's top wildlife killer, with deforestation, river damming, and land conversion eroding ecosystems at an alarming rate.

  • VIEWPOINT- Farmers are Frustrated about the slow pace of Foot and Mouth control.

    South African cattle farmers have indeed faced immense challenges from the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, which has persisted into late 2025 and caused billions in losses through culls, export bans, movement restrictions, and disrupted supply chains—particularly hitting dairy producers hardest in KwaZulu-Natal, where 180 of the 274 unresolved cases are concentrated.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- Do City People Really Understand What South African Farmers Face?

    Most South Africans who live in towns and cities have never spent a night on a remote farm.

  • VIEWPOINT- FMD in Limpopo: South Africa's Disease Control Catastrophe Hits a New Low

    As December 2025 drags on, South Africa's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak — already the worst in decades — has spread to Limpopo, a province whose remote, cattle-dense communal farming areas make it a perfect storm for uncontrolled transmission.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- Humanity and Authenticity make for Effective Conversations

    Public trust in institutions—whether politics, business, nonprofits, mainstream media, or even social media—has significantly eroded over the past decade, largely due to the rampant spread of disinformation and bizarre falsehoods amplified by social platforms.

  • WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- South Africa enters 2026 carrying a heavy burden of unresolved problems.

    South Africa enters 2026 carrying a heavy burden of unresolved problems. The government keeps rolling out new laws and proposals, often as distractions from the real crises that get pushed aside.
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