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e-Newsletter
17/16
5 MAY 2017
ECONOMIC AND AGRIBUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

" Wheat farmers in the Western Cape are concerned. After minimal rain over the past several months, soil moisture is low across many fields and to make matters worse, weather models are giving little indication of rainfall within the next two weeks.   The farmers in the region typically start planting their winter wheat crop around mid-April, but this year action in the fields has been limited. During a phone conversation this week one farmer told me soil moisture is low and there hasn't been any meaningful rain."  Click here to read the full article written by  Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Head: Economic and Agribusiness Intelligence - www.huffingtonpost.co.za
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
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT INTELLIGENCE
Minister Zokwana's strategic grain reserve a costly option

Minister Senzeni Zokwana made a startling revelation on 26 April when he said government is considering establishing a strategic grain reserve against future drought induced food shortages. At face value, it sounds quite rational. But in practice, it has seriously negative consequences, especially for a mature and advanced market like South Africa. Tinashe Kapuya, Agbiz Head: International Trade and Investment Intelligence, provides more information in the linked article»
MEMBERS NEWS
New book examines WTO: Agricultural issues for Africa

The Trade Law Centre (Tralac) and the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) have launched a new book examining the agriculture negotiations at the WTO and what a successful agreement might mean for Africa. The book concentrates on the three keys themes that are core to agriculture in the WTO; Those of domestic support, market access and export incentives.  The book is available to download  here»
SECTOR NEWS
The delegation of all the powers and duties vested in the Executive Officer in terms of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act no. 119 of 1990) has been carried over to Mr Theo Van Rensburg. He is currently the acting Deputy Director: Food Safety and Quality Assurance, and consequently takes the role and responsibilities previously carried on by Mr Makhafola who is now the Director: Food Safety and Quality Assurance at DAFF.   Until advised differently, please address all your enquiries and concerns to Mr Van Rensburg.
Tel: +27 12 319 6020
E-mail: theovr@daff.gov.za
UPCOMING EVENTS
Second workshop of the Crop Estimates Liaison Committee (CELC)  
12 May 2017 | Pretoria
RSVP as soon as possible to  mariana.purnell@agbizgrain.co.za

Red Meat Abattoir Association Conference and Congress
17-19 May 2017 | Stellenbosch
More information 

NAMPO Harvest Day
16-19 May 2017 | Bothaville
More information

Jobs Summit 2017
23 May 2017 | Sandton
More information»

SA Large Herds Conference
5-7 June 2017 | Champagne Sports Resort
Contact:  Julie McLachlan on julie@mpo.co.za
 
13th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition
12-14 June 2017 | Premier Hotel OR Tambo
Contact:  Julie McLachlan on julie@mpo.co.za
 
IFAMA 2017 World Conference
18-21 June 2017 | Miami, Florida, USA
More information

Avi Africa 2017 Conference, Congress & Exhibition 
20-22 June 2017 | Emperors Palace | Johannesburg
More information

Workshop on Bioinformatics and Wheat Genomics
28 June 2017 | Worcester, Western Cape
More information

11th Agribusiness Africa Conference
4-5 July 2017 |  Emperors Palace | Johannesburg

Agbiz Grain Mini-Symposium
15 August 2017 |  CSIR, Pretoria
Enquiries: mariana.purnell@agbizgrain.co.za 

PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show
16-17 August 2017 |  CTICC | Cape Town

Skills Development Summit
31 Aug - 1 September 2017 | CSIR | Pretoria
More information

South African Association for Food Science & Technology (SAAFoST) 22nd Biennial International Congress and Exhibition 
3-6 September 2017 | Century City Convention Centre | Cape Town

MPO National Congress
20 September 2017 | Protea Hotel King George | George
Contact:  Julie McLachlan on julie@mpo.co.za

Potatoes SA Congress
28 September 2017 | Premier Hotel OR Tambo | Johannesburg

International Conference on Global Food Security 
3-6 December 2017 | CTICC | Cape Town
Conference Theme: Food Security: Global challenges, local solutions
More information
SOCIAL MEDIA
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