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King IV Report released by IoDSA - Governance update for SA
 The King IV Report on Corporate GovernanceTM (King IV) was launched on 1 November 2016 by the King Committee and the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA), which owns the intellectual rights to the King Reports and the governance codes they contain. The King Reports, of which this is the fourth iteration, contain the philosophy, principles and leading practices for corporate governance in South Africa. View the full IoDSA Press Statement»
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| Economic and agribusiness intelligence |
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Rand/US Dollar to remain a key driver of South African grain prices
 South Africa is traditionally a net exporter of maize and a net importer of wheat. However, during 2015/16 marketing year the country became a net importer of both maize and wheat due to lower supplies on the back of a drought season. Agbiz economists, Wandile Sihlobo and Tinashe Kapuya provide more insight in the linked document»
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Soybean to surge in the 2016/17 production season
 In the 2016/17 production season, the world is set to see the biggest soybean crop in a decade. Recent estimates from the International Grains Council suggest that 2016/17 global soybeans production could reach 332 million tons, which would be a 6% year-on-year (y/y) increase. This comes after a 2% y/y increase in area plantings to 123 million hectares, as well as an expected 3% increase in average yield levels to 2.67 tons per hectare.
Wandile Sihlobo discusses more detail in the linked article»
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Daily view on commodity markets
Daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends
are available on the Agbiz website
www.agbiz.co.za
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International trade and investment intelligence
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EPA Provisional implementation kicks off this week
 The new market access provisions of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for agricultural products came into effect this week on 1st November 2016. The EPA agreement was provisionally applied on the 10th October 2016, but new concessions were only going to come into effect after the fulfilment of two conditions, namely (1) the ratification of the agreement by SACU States, and (2) the bilateral exchange of notifications for Geographic Indications (GI) protocols - both of which were met by the end of October 2016. Agbiz economists, Tinashe Kapuya and Wandile Sihlobo shares more information in the linked article. Also linked is a media release from the dti.
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Export quotas under TDCA between EU and SA for 2017
 Procedures for the application, administration and allocation of export quotas under the TDCA between the European Union and the Republic of South Africa for the Year 2017 was published in Government Gazette No 40379 on 28th October.
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E-commerce regulation implications for SA and Africa
 South Africa has 18 export councils and 20% of its exports go to African countries. Since there are very few malls in Africa, the potential for e-commerce is considered to be huge. However, there are many pitfalls, least of all the fact that South Africa is the third most popular target in the world for cyber-crime.
A one-day workshop to debate the future of e-commerce regulation and its implications for SA and Africa was recently held. The intervention was part of the Global Economic Governance Africa II programme funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development and was attended by Mariana Purnell of Agbiz Grain. Mariana provides more information in the linked document»
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Food and agriculture sector ripe for disruption
Agribusinesses are unsure how to approach agriculture technology (agritech) investment [click to peruse] and are at risk of being left behind if they don't make it a core part of their strategy, according to BCG Consulting and AgFunder. It is especially technology, and specifically the Fourth Industrial Revolution technology, that will change the world and South Africa. How you use this new dimension, will determine your sustainable future as an agribusiness. Some feel the food and ag sector is a textbook sector ripe for disruption. Mariana Purnell provides more information in the linked document»
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NWK's Managing director retires
In terms of his contract with NWK, the Managing Director, Mr Danie Marais, will retire early next year. "Following the Board's approval, Mr Marais' request to step down at the end of November will be accommodated," Mr Heinrich Krüger, Chairman of NWK, said. Until the position of Chief Executive Officer is filled the Financial Director, Mr Theo Rabe, is appointed in an acting capacity.
Press release»
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NAMC Supply and demand estimates
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The Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa welcomes new Chief Executive Officer
After a successful tenure as CEO of the Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa (Fertasa), Mr Adam Mostert will step down in January 2017. Dr Pieter Haumann has been elected as the new Chief Executive Officer Fertasa. Dr Haumann will begin his tenure as CEO in January 2017.
Media release»
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Taking a fresh look at African soils
Researchers from seven African countries have launched the African Soil Microbiology Project at the University of Pretoria this month, in a world-first attempt to survey soil microbiology in sub-Saharan Africa. The project hopes to gain a baseline understanding of the organisms in Africa's soils and contribute to soil fertility, climate change and health research on the continent.
Press release»
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DAFF Market Information System consolidates marketing information
Mr Billy Morokolo, Chief director: Agro-processing and marketing at DAFF briefed the media this week on the Marketing Information System (MIS), a web-based information tool developed and launched in 2007 by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), that provides marketing information pertaining to agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Morokolo said the MIS integrates and consolidates marketing information that would otherwise be scattered across different sources. Read more»
There are 3 ways to access the MIS:
USSD: dial *120*4040# on your cell phone
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Detection of Tomato Leaf Miner in the eastern parts of Mpumalanga
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) last week announced that the first Tuta absoluta, commonly known also as the Tomato Leaf Miner, has been detected in the eastern parts of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. This pest is disastrous particularly for tomato production and food security in general.
Media release»
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Biotech crops impact economy positively
The Department of Science and Technology Director General, Dr Phil Mjwara, says biotechnology or genetically modified (GM) crops have had a positive economic impact on South Africa.
He said this when he briefed journalists upon releasing the second survey on the Public Perceptions of Biotechnology in South Africa on Tuesday. The survey was conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
"It is estimated that the economic gains from biotech crops for South Africa for the period 1998 to 2013 was US$1.6 billion and US$313 million for 2013 alone."
Read more»
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MASDT opens another office in Pretoria
The opening of a MASDT office in Pretoria is set to guarantee personal service to projects in not only the Gauteng regions, but also in the North West and Northern Cape provinces, according to the lastest MASDT newsletter. The official opening of the office located in the Inkwazi building, Zwartkop, took place in October.
Download the MASDT newsletter»
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Water & Climate Congress
22 - 24 March 2017
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Follow Agbiz on Facebook and Twitter
Be sure to follow Agbiz on Twitter and Facebook for the latest industry news and events.
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Agribusiness Centenary Bursary
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Agbiz is making available an annual bursary to a South African student registered for a Masters or PhD degree in either agricultural economics or agribusiness management related fields.
The application deadline is 9 December 2016.
More information»
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