As SA’s summer crop — which includes maize — is set to be one of the best on record, focus now shifts to the outlook for winter crops, specifically wheat.

The global grains environment has changed somewhat from the optimistic picture of a few weeks ago.

 It has become increasingly challenging to forecast agricultural production seasons with some level of confidence.

One of the big questions occupying South African agricultural economists over the past decade has been: how to foster inclusive growth in the sector.

One of the big questions that have occupied South African agricultural economists over the past decade has been: how to foster inclusive growth in the sector

The South African agricultural sector has thus far successfully harvested summer crops and horticulture with minimal interruptions from the pandemic.

There is a growing volume of literature outlining what ought to be done to reconstruct the economy after the devastation of this pandemic.

The SA agricultural sector has thus far successfully harvested summer crops with minimal interruption from the pandemic.

 The reports of a potential La Niña event during the coming summer months present different risks for Southern and East Africa’s agriculture.

The rural economy should not be forgotten in SA’s post-Covid-19 recovery plans.

Tempus fugit (time flies) is an apt phrase to describe developments in the global agricultural market.

• We are now roughly a month and a half from the start of South Africa’s 2020/21 summer crop planting season.

• What to make of the data releases this week in South Africa agriculture market?
  

  This has been a relatively quiet week in the South African agricultural data calendar.

• Thoughts on South Africa agriculture sector performance in Q2, 2020
  

  South Africa’s agricultural sector had a solid start to the year with first-quarter gross value-added growing by 27.8% q/q on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis .

• Assessing risks to South Africa’s food price inflation
  

  At this time of the year, the focus in the South African agricultural market would ordinarily be shifting towards the next summer crop season, which begins with the planting of grains and oilseeds around October of each year.

• Some positive news for South Africa’s beef industry
  

  South Africa’s beef industry has maintained a trade surplus since 2014.

• Brief reflections on South Africa’s food price inflation
  

  South Africa’s food price inflation accelerated to 4.6% y/y in July 2020, from 4.5% y/y in the previous month.

• South Africa set to have the largest wheat harvest in a decade, and largest canola and barley harvest on record
  

  We now have further evidence that the good rains that the Western Cape received over the past couple of months will have a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s 2020/21 winter crop production.

• Outlook looks bright for South Africa’s agriculture sector
  

  SA’s agricultural sector had a solid start to 2020, with first-quarter gross value-added growing 27.8% quarter on quarter on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis .

• Taking stock of global grains monthly data and its implications for South Africa
  

  Although South Africa is a net exporter of some major grains such as maize and barley, the country is not insulated from the global grains market developments.