12
eNewsletter
2016/28
26 August 2016
Agbiz Congress 2016 report

Hot off the press is the Agbiz Congress report which contains a summary of all the presentations done at the congress, feedback from attendees, as well as a photo gallery.    Click to peruse this report»
Economic and agribusiness intelligence
South Africa's crop production estimates paint a mixed picture

Harvesting
Recent data from the National Crop Estimate Committee (CEC) showed an upward revision in yellow maize production, up by 1% from the previous estimate to 4.2 million tons. Meanwhile, white maize production estimate remained unchanged from the previous month's estimate of 3.1 million tons. Soybeans and sunflower seed production estimates also remained unchanged. However, groundnuts, sorghum and dry beans saw downward revision. Also worth noting is the South Africa's first wheat production estimate which came out at 1.7 million tons, up by 17% from the previous season. This follows a period of favourable weather conditions across main wheat producing regions of the country (Western Cape and Free State province).   Wandile Sihlobo, Head of Agribusiness Intelligence at Agbiz, provides more information in the  linked document»
South Africa's wheat import tariff at a record high

Wheat_1 The South African wheat import tariff has increased by 30% to a record high of R1 591.40 per ton, from the previous level of R1 224.31 per ton. This came on the back of a decline in international wheat prices, which are currently at a six year low of US$196 per ton. Wandile Sihlobo, Head of Agribusiness Intelligence at Agbiz, provides more information in the   linked update»
South African food inflation accelerates

Recent data from Statistics South Africa indicates that in July 2016, headline inflation eased at 6% year-on-year (y/y) from 6.3% y/y in June 2016. This was slightly below market expectations of 6.1% y/y.  Wandile Sihlobo, Head of Agribusiness Intelligence at Agbiz, provides more information in the  linked update»
South African food producer price inflation increases

The recent producer price index (PPI) data released by Statistics South Africa indicates that in July 2016, producer inflation for final manufactured goods accelerated to 7.4% from 6.8% year-on-year (y/y) in the previous month. Food products price inflation were among the key drivers of this increase, reaching 12.6% y/y from 11.2% y/y in June 2016 - driven in part, bylower domestic supplies and a weaker Rand against the US Dollar.   Wandile Sihlobo provides more information in the linked update»

Farming sector needs positive thinking 

When describing the state and/or outlook of an industry, it is important to be cognisant of the negativity bias in order to remain objective. The benefits of being in the particular industry and its strong points should not be downplayed - not to suggest one should turn a blind eye to its weaknesses. This particularly rings true to the agricultural industry in SA, which has to contend with business as well as climatic risk factors.  Find linked the full article by Wandile Sihlobo published this week in the Business Day newspaper.
Daily market viewpoint on agri-commodities 

Agbiz members receive daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends via e-mail.   The latest and historic commentaries are available on the Agbiz website  www.agbiz.co.za
In addition to Agbiz's daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends that members receive via e-mail, Agbiz will  o n Fridays  consolidate all the weekly key events in the South African agricultural markets in a RSA Agricultural Commodities Weekly Wrap.    The latest wrap is available on the Agbiz website  www.agbiz.co.za
International trade intelligence
Invitation: What does Brexit mean for South Africa?

The United Kingdom's (UK) decision to leave the European Union (EU) has far-reaching consequences for growth and development in these countries. The contours are uncertain, owing to the currently unpredictable terms of the UK's departure from the EU. Furthermore, the UK will have to re-establish independent trade relations with its main trading partners. Where South Africa will fit in with the UK's emerging, independent, trade priorities is an open question. How South Africa will respond, and the priority it will accord to resetting trade relations with the UK, is also not clear.

Accordingly, JCCI and Agbiz, in partnership with Tutwa Consulting Group, and with the support of Rand Merchant Bank, have pleasure in inviting Agbiz members to an event where these issues will be canvassed.  Find invitation and programme linked»
South Africa's agricultural exports decline in 2015

In 2015, South Africa's agricultural exports declined for the first time in 10 years, after a drier season. Africa remained South Africa's largest market, accounting for 45% of agricultural exports - which is 1% below the 5-year average share. The EU accounted for 27% of South Africa's agricultural exports in 2015, with Asia taking up 12%, and the Middle East 7%.  The Americas and the rest of the world (ROW) accounted for 5%, of South Africa's agricultural exports, respectively.  Agbiz economists, Tinashe Kapuya and Wandile Sihlobo,  provides more information in the linked document»
Members' news
ABSA - Agricultural competitiveness beyond Big Data

Technology will increasingly play an important role in agricultural food production as the world races to ensure that food supply will be able to meet growing demand in the future.  Absa's economists, Ernst Janovsky and Wessel Lemmer, predict a number of new trends in food production, including: urban vertical farming, with production being done more through the sharing of information; drones being used widely to support production; as well as an increase use of existing technology that will save costs and improve incomes. Find linked the presentation done earlier this week at the Absa Agribusiness roundtable in Centurion.
New agribusiness models embed sustainability in agriculture

The role agriculture plays in creating and maintaining socio-economic prosperity is becoming more critical as nations are focusing on issues such as food security. According to Bertie Hamman, Standard Bank senior manager: secondary agriculture, through sustainability-focused innovation in the remote Northern Cape, GWK Farm Foods exemplifies agriculture's transformative power.  Read full article»
Learnership tax deductions

During November 2015, SARS published an updated information bulletin on the implementation and management of Sect 12(h) tax deduction for learnerships. The last day of registering learnerships is 30 September to qualify for the additional deductions.  For further information or assistance, please contact your Signa advisor or Melcus Nel on 082 448 0356.
Industry news
Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development Announces Fourth Call for Innovations
- www.securingwaterforfood.org

News around the web
Fresh produce comes out on top as the most important feature to customers in their grocery store experience
- www.chainstoreage.com

Milk, Not Plastic, Will Protect Food in the Future
- Bloomberg

You Say CSA, I say Food Hub 
- New Food Economy

Can Robot Butchers Do One Of America's Most Dangerous Jobs?
- FastCo.Exist

Upcoming Events
Jacaranda Agricultural Show
24 - 28 August 2016 |  Tshwane Events Centre, Pretoria
This year the show will offer a feast of agriculture, wildlife farming, agricultural machinery, livestock, agricultural business development, technology, organic farming and much more.  Click for  more information
Are property rights really under threat?
8 September 2016 | Standard Bank offices in  Rosebank, Johannesburg
Reserve your seat by 2 September 2016
E-mail:  [email protected]
Food & Drink Technology Africa
14 - 15 September 2016 |  Gallagher Estate, Midrand
Tropentag I nternational Conference on Research in Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development
18 - 21 September 2016 |  Vienna, Austria
AMT Agri-Outlook Conference
28 September 2016 | CSIR Convention Centre | Pretoria
Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference
10 - 12 October 2016 | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania
Members of AGBIZ can register for the conference here using the code AGBIZ1 and will save 15% off the final delegate rate.   The brochure with details of all the sessions and the expert speaker panel can now be viewed here .   More information»
Africa Agri Investment Indaba
28 - 30 November 2016 | Cape Town International Convention Center
This Indaba is a key meeting place for investment in Africa's agricultural and agro-processing sectors attracting over 600 international investors, bankers, governments, farmers, project owners.  Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from 40 world class Agri experts such as Dr. John Purchase the CEO of Agricultural Business Chamber; Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo the Executive Director of Ghana's Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa; Mohsin Cajee the Investment Principal of Old Mutual Private Equity, Old Mutual Investment Group and Stefan Sakoschek the Regional Director of EU Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Southern Africa and many more.   Read more»
Water & Climate Congress
22 - 24 March 2016
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