The U.S. Supreme Court is due on Wednesday to hear arguments over the legality of Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs in a case with implications for the global economy that marks a major test of the Republican president's powers and the willingness of the justices to let him push the limits of his authority. The arguments are set to begin at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) after lower courts ruled that Trump's unprecedented use of a 1977 federal law meant for national emergencies to impose the tariffs exceeded his authority. The challenge involves three lawsuits brought by businesses affected by the tariffs and 12 U.S. states, most of them Democratic-led. Trump has heaped pressure on the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, to preserve tariffs that he has leveraged as a key economic and foreign policy tool. The tariffs - taxes on imported goods - could add up to trillions of dollars for the United States over the next decade. If the justices strike them down, "we would be defenseless, leading perhaps even to the ruination of our Nation," Trump wrote in a social media post on Sunday. Click here to read full report. 

The “Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality” – commissioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa for South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 – today unveiled the first-ever report on inequality to the G20. The Committee is chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz and joined by five other leading global experts. The report follows consultation with leading economists and inequality experts across the world. The Committee’s key recommendation is the creation of a new international and independent panel – inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – that would monitor trends and assess its drivers and consequences and evaluate alternative policies for addressing it, to inform governments, policy makers, and the international community. Their report offers a snapshot of the forces giving rise to inequality and the state of inequality. It comes amid heightening concern about ‘the global increase in incomes and wealth at the upper end of the scale’ and the increasing challenges large parts of the population face in making ends meet. Click here to read full report. 

The U.S. and China agreed on Thursday to pause tit-for-tat fees on each other's ships that became a major irritant in the broader trade war between the world's two largest economies and pushed up ocean freight costs. The move provides a 12-month reprieve on an estimated $3.2 billion annually in fees for large Chinese-built vessels sailing to U.S. ports and was among the trade deals reached in South Korea by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Early this year, the Trump administration announced plans to levy fees on China-linked ships to loosen the country's grip on the global maritime industry and bolster U.S. shipbuilding. The so-called Section 301 penalties followed a U.S. probe that concluded China's domination of the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors was driven by unfair practices. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox Business Network on Thursday that the Section 301 action had been put on hold. The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not immediately comment whether the pause covered other U.S. penalties, including those on non-U.S. auto carriers built outside of China. The Section 301 penalties also included 100% tariffs on port cranes made in China. Read more here. 

Returned from his Southeast Asian trip, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that amid global economic uncertainty, South Africa must diversify its trade and investment relations. Ramaphosa returned from visits to Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, whose companies want to locate their operations to South Africa to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He pointed out that in each country, the South African delegation met with companies that were keen to invest. “…some of these companies already have a presence in our country. All of them recognised the great potential of our economy, our well-developed infrastructure, our world-class financial sector, our independent judiciary and stable institutions,” Ramaphosa said. He stated that several companies discussed their plans to build new manufacturing plants in South Africa for the domestic market and other markets in the Southern African region and on the African continent. “As we continue to expand trade with traditional partners, we see great value in strengthening links with other countries of the Global South,” he said. Read more here.

Agbiz recently hosted its latest Media Information Day in the Western Cape, highlighting the fruit sector, food security, rules of engagement, and agricultural remedies. The event, held at Elsenburg Agricultural College on 23 October 2025, brought together over 90 delegates, including students, media representatives, and industry stakeholders, for a day of insight, discussion, and knowledge-sharing. Since 2024, Agbiz has been organising these media information days in collaboration with various agricultural commodities. The initiative aims to enhance public and media understanding of the sector, its critical role in the economy, the challenges it faces, and to provide context on narratives that influence its reputation. Following the inaugural session in Paarl with SA Wine, the recent event in Stellenbosch focused specifically on the fruit industry, continuing Agbiz’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and fostering informed dialogue. Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association, was the keynote speaker. Click here to read full report by Annelize Crosby, Agbiz, Legal Intelligence Manager.

The agricultural sector has taken a bold step forward with the launch of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Peer Support & Learning Network – the first initiative of its kind in the industry. On 19 September 2025, representatives from about 8 companies gathered for the inaugural session of this industry peer forum, convened under the leadership of AGBIZ. The forum provides a collaborative platform for HR, DEIB, and transformation professionals across the agricultural value chain to share knowledge, co-create solutions, and strengthen resilience in the face of sector challenges such as scarce technical skills, workforce transformation pressures, and rural inclusion. At the launch, Trevonica Naidu, Executive Head: Human Capital Experience at VKB Group, shared insights on trends shaping the future of work in agriculture. These included the growing importance of disability inclusion and tackling unconscious bias - issues that carry unique dimensions in rural and agricultural contexts. Trevonica Naidu encouraged participants to envision what true inclusion in agriculture could look like by 2030, and to identify collective actions that can move the sector closer to that GOA. Click here to read full report by Thapelo Machaba, Agbiz and Trevonica Naidu, VKB.

The Draft SMME Classification Regulations and the Business Licensing Bill, 2025 could quietly reshape how South African agriculture is regulated and supported. Together, they determine who counts as a “small business” in law and how enterprises across the value chain are licensed to operate, from farm stalls and cooperatives to packhouses, agro-dealers and processors. Agbiz broadly supports the intention to modernise and standardise these frameworks, but we do have a few important concerns about how they will work in a volatile, seasonal sector like agriculture. The SMME regulations retain simple employment bands but raise turnover thresholds and align them more closely with industry realities. For Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, the proposed ceilings (up to R15 million for micro, R45 million for small and R100 million for medium enterprises) mean that more farms and agribusinesses could qualify as SMMEs. This should, in principle, expand access to SME-linked finance, grants, and enterprise- and supplier-development opportunities and improve consistency across government programmes. Click here to read full report by Thapelo Machaba, Agbiz. 

On the 2nd of October 2025, Judge Nyati delivered a judgement in the Gauteng High Court in the matter of Dhlomo v De Klerk and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition regarding the requirement in the Alienation of Land Act, no 68 of 1981 that any sale of land must be in writing and signed by the parties. The Act requires that: a written sale agreement must include all “material terms”, incorporating both –Essential terms, which must set out the identity of the parties to the contract, the identity of the land sold, and the amount of the sale price; and Any other term that is material …and this is determined with reference to its effect on the rights and obligations of the parties. The Judge ruled in the Dhlomo v De Klerk matter, that this requirement discriminated against vulnerable purchasers and was inconsistent with the rights enshrined in the Constitution of access to housing, dignity and equality and was therefore invalid. This judgement holds serious implications for our deeds registration system and for security of title and will likely lead to lots of litigation. Click here to read full report by Annelize Crosby, Agbiz.

South Africa’s agricultural exports are expanding — and October 2025 marked a major step forward. In this week’s episode of AgriView, Wandile Sihlobo unpacks the growing trade relationships between South Africa and key Asian markets like China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. From new stone fruit protocols to discussions about lowering tariffs on macadamias, wine, and beef, these developments could reshape the future of our farming exports. Wandile explores why Asia’s booming food markets — worth hundreds of billions of dollars — matter for South African producers, and how strategic trade negotiations can unlock real opportunities for inclusive growth, transformation, and rural employment. Tune in for deep insights into the politics, economics, and potential of South Africa’s agricultural trade diversification. Click here to watch.

On trade matters, I highlighted that for its export diversification strategy, South Africa is looking at broadening exports to Asia and the Middle East. The natural and fair question that followed was: What is our strategy for Africa? Africa’s central role in SA’s agricultural exports. The African continent remains vital to South Africa’s agriculture, accounting for roughly half of our annual exports. We exported about $13.7bn (R237bn) to the world market in 2024, and I suspect this year our agricultural exports will cross the $14bn mark for the first time. Africa has been central to this export growth, particularly the Southern Africa region. Roughly 90c in every dollar of South Africa’s agricultural exports to the African continent are to Southern African countries. These are mainly in the Southern Africa Customs Union (Sacu) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Free Trade Area. We will likely remain heavily dominant in these regions for some time, but the growth is limited. We are not as strong in other parts of the continent. Click here to read full report.

What began as a promising path to boosting inclusive growth in SA’s agriculture has become mired in unending discussions, and the implementation effort has been hazy at best. In May 2022, then Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Thoko Didiza launched SA’s Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, co-created by the government, organised agriculture, labour, and other stakeholders. The document outlined the main constraints on SA’s agriculture and agro-processing, and presented solutions. The distinct aspect was its focus on various commodity value chains and the mapping of commodity corridors across the country. What followed was the creation of structures that monitor implementation and processes across the various commodities. The master plan is critical because, while SA’s agriculture gross value added has more than doubled since the dawn of democracy, there is still potential for growth. However, various inefficiencies persist, which increase transaction costs for farming businesses and constrain their expansion. Click here to read full report.

It is still too early to be sure about what South Africa’s 2025-26 maize crop could be. But what we know is that farmers intend to lift the area they plant by 1% to 4.5 million hectares. They are upbeat and have been buying tractors. We have been witnessing strong tractor sales, which suggests that they are optimistic about the 2025-26 season. Still, we will need to closely monitor the planting activity in the coming weeks to determine if the planned planting materializes. However, considering the historical perspective, it typically does. In fact, farmers have begun tilling the land in various regions of the country. Importantly, the rainfall prospects are positive, with a forecast La Niña through to February 2026. This corresponds with the planting and crop growing timeframe. Thus, underscoring the point that we are heading to another year of possibly ample maize crop harvest. As we close the season, we expect a maize crop harvest of approximately 16.4 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season, which is significantly above South Africa’s maize needs of 12.0 million tonnes, resulting in a considerable surplus for export markets. Click here to read full report. 

American farmers are likely to be somewhat uplifted by the recent US-China meeting. They are feeling the negative impact of the current trade friction, as China has increased its reliance on South and Latin American countries to buy soybeans and other agricultural products. China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, accounting for roughly half of global soybean imports. China also imports a range of agricultural products, making it the world’s second-largest agricultural importer. Therefore, a promise from the recent US-China meeting to resume imports of US agricultural products will help alleviate some of the pressures on American farmers. For us in South Africa, of course, the easing of the trade friction reduces the volatility in the grain markets. However, it doesn’t fundamentally change much of our reality. There are ample grain and oilseed supplies in the world market, which have kept prices generally under pressure. This adds to the fact that South Africa has a large crop. Therefore, for a South African farmer, there are some financial pressures, particularly if one considers that we will start the 2025-26 planting season with reasonably higher input costs. Click here to read full report.

Agbiz Grain Quarterly is an online magazine dedicated to the South African grain handling and storage industry. In addition to the usual offering of thought-provoking, industry-specific articles, the November 2025 issue highlights the grain silo history of South Africa and explores the importance of prioritising preventative silo maintenance to ensure safety and preserve grain quality during long-term storage. This issue also features coverage of Sacota’s AGM and the challenges faced by the grain and oilseeds sector, TRIM’s strategic outlook for the industry, and insights on hazardous substance transport. Readers can further explore articles on the influence of commodity type and temperature on insect infestations in silos, grain storage options, updates in the agricultural regulatory environment, and managing flammable storage compliance in South Africa and much more. To download the current PDF version of Agbiz Grain Quarterly, click here. To download the digimag, click here.

This blog post is part of a special series based on the October 2025 Commodity Markets Outlook, a flagship report published by the World Bank. This series features concise summaries of commodity-specific sections extracted from the report. Explore the full report here. Oil prices rose by 5 percent toward the end of the month after new U.S. sanctions were announced on Russian oil companies, with Brent closing at about $65 per barrel (bbl) on October 29. Throughout 2025, oil prices declined due to ongoing trade policy tensions and concerns over excess supply, with occasional short-term increases in response to geopolitical events. The decline in Brent contributed to the Urals price falling below $60/bbl — the price cap in place since February 2025 — before a lower cap of $47.6/bbl was introduced in September. Oil demand growth continues to weaken. Global oil demand is estimated to have increased by only 0.8 million barrels per day (mb/d), or 0.7 percent year-on-year, in 2025Q3, indicating continued sluggish growth relative to the 2015-19 average. Click here to read full report. 

Global commodity prices are projected to decline by about 7 percent in 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year of moderation. The continued weakness reflects subdued global economic activity, persistent trade tensions and policy uncertainty, and ample oil supplies. Energy prices are expected to fall by 10 percent in 2026 (y/y), following a projected 12 percent decline in 2025. Metals and minerals prices are anticipated to remain broadly stable, while agricultural prices are projected to edge lower amid favorable supply conditions. In contrast, precious metals prices are forecast to rise by 5 percent in 2026, extending gains after a historically large, investment-driven surge of more than 40 percent in 2025. Over the past six months, commodity markets have been pressured by subdued economic activity, trade restrictions, policy uncertainty, and weather-related supply shocks. Brent oil dropped 14 percent in the first nine months of 2025 amid oversupply and weak demand, particularly in China—though U.S. sanctions on Russian oil caused brief price spikes. Natural gas prices surged on strong European LNG demand, while base metals rebounded in 2025Q3 amid resilient global demand, shifting trade policies, and supply disruptions, especially in copper. Click here to read full report.

On 31 October 2025, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, appointed five members to the Selection Panel established in terms of Section 5(1)(b) of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982). This panel is tasked with identifying and recommending individuals for appointment as ministerial designees to the next South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), as prescribed by Section 5(1)(c) of the Act. In terms of the legislation, the panel will recommend twelve nominees comprising eight veterinarians or veterinary specialists, two persons on account of their knowledge of law, and two non-veterinarians. The minister expressed his confidence that the appointed panel delivers the depth of experience, integrity and independence necessary to ensure a transparent, fair and credible process, consistent with the principles of good governance and representivity required by the Act. Minister Steenhuisen said the panel represents “the very best of South African expertise in veterinary, para-veterinary and legal practice, a combination that will ensure a rigorous, balanced and credible nomination process for the next council”. Click here to read full statement. 

Agbiz attended the Agricultural Stakeholder Roundtable Dialogue, hosted by the Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) in partnership with Absa and other sector stakeholders. The event gathered representatives from government, financial institutions, agribusinesses, and development partners to unpack the challenges and opportunities in advancing financial inclusion, improving access to finance, and driving sustainable growth within South Africa’s agricultural sector. The dialogue aimed to deepen collaboration across sectors and establish a more coordinated approach to agricultural financing. With South Africa’s agriculture sector identified as a key driver for inclusive growth and job creation, the discussions focused on aligning public and private sector efforts under the Agricultural Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP). The session emphasised the urgent need to address structural barriers that limit smallholder and emerging farmers’ access to affordable finance and to design funding mechanisms that are responsive to their realities. AGDA CEO Leona Archary set the tone by highlighting that while progress has been made, the agricultural finance landscape remains fragmented. Click here to read full article by Temba Msiza, Agbiz. 

Industry specialists tackled several sticking points around food safety and pesticide regulations during a wide-ranging panel discussion at the Agbiz Media Day held last week at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, warning that seemingly simple solutions could severely harm the local agriculture sector. Kobus Hartman, veteran crop protection and market access consultant, explained that South Africa’s varied climate, soil types, and biodiversity brings unique risks that aren’t an issue for its Northern Hemisphere peers. He said that Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) alone is home to more than 8 000 species of plants, of which more than 2 000 are flowering plants. “The whole of Britain has about 3 500 species of plants, of which about 1 700 are native to the region. In contrast, of that 8 000-plus species [in TMNP], 90 of them are endemic and therefore occur only in the Table Mountain area. “Why is that relevant? With [South Africa’s] huge biodiversity, we have a lot of pests and diseases that have developed with those plants. And those pests often pose a quarantine problem to our export produce because they are not found elsewhere in the world, or at least [not in] those countries to which we are exporting. Click here to read full report. Click here to read Agbiz: Reframing SA’s fruit narrative.

Multi sector planning and cooperation involving government agencies and the private sector has turned the tide in the South African export logistics sector. This has resulted in logistics operational efficiencies that are set to pull the sector out of the decline of the past few years. These improvements are being seen in port facilities, road and rail initiatives and the emergence of cross-sector cooperation. The South African table grape industry said that the implementation of its logistics model has brought about great improvements, and the South African citrus sector noted it has been able to ship a record export volume this year without many problems. “At the start of the 2025 citrus export season, the outlook for logistics was a concern for the citrus industry,” said Mitchell Brooke, logistics development manager at the Citrus Growers’ Association. “For many in the sector, logistics remained one of the most significant constraints on our ability to compete globally. “But now, as we reach the end of our citrus export season, we can report improved efficiency,” he noted. Click here to read full report. 

The new South African table grape season is off to a promising start, with conditions across all five production regions indicating a normal campaign. South Africa is expected to pack nearly 80mn 4.5 kg cartons this year. In Namibia, growers will also start packing this week, and the industry expects a total export crop of just more than 10mn cartons. “The early signs are encouraging,” said Sati chief executive Mecia Petersen. “Growing conditions have been favourable in the months leading up to the export season, and at this stage we expect the 2025/26 harvest to deliver good fruit quality and sufficient volumes to meet demand in our export markets.” Sati is positive that recent improvements at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) will continue to support improvements in port performance during the peak export period. Over the past year, Transnet has invested in new equipment at CTCT as part of its turnaround strategy to improve efficiency at the country’s ports. It is expected that by the end of November, 18 new rubber-tyred gantry cranes will be deployed at CTCT, which will be supplemented by existing equipment. Click here to read full report.

Agbiz successfully hosted its second annual Media Day Western Cape, bringing together journalists, industry leaders, and stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions around South African agriculture, this year focused on the fruit industry. The event’s theme, “Reframing the Narrative on South Africa’s Fruit Sector,” focused on repositioning the country’s fruit industry within the public narrative by showcasing its economic value, innovation, sustainability efforts, and social impact. The day aimed to counter misinformation and highlight the sector’s role in food security, environmental resilience, and youth empowerment. Keynotes from Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele (CEO, Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa) and Mecia Petersen (CEO, South African Table Grape Industry) inspired attendees with reflections on leadership, growth, honing in on their personal journeys and how fruit exports contribute to local food security. Click here to read full report by Temba Msiza, Agbiz.

European and global potato markets remain under pressure as production, weather, and pricing trends diverge sharply across regions. In Italy, prices have fallen due to increased French supply, while the Netherlands continues to face weak demand and factory slowdowns. France reports exceptional production but a deep market imbalance, and Poland's higher yields have led to price drops. Switzerland and Austria are experiencing abundant supply and stable demand, though with storage and logistics constraints. Germany faces rising quality issues alongside ongoing price pressure. In Spain, a larger planted area and delayed harvest have increased overall production, resulting in lower prices and weaker exports. Outside Europe, New Zealand growers report mixed planting conditions following a variable spring, while Australia continues to grapple with fresh potato shortages after a dry autumn. In North America, yields are solid but prices remain low. South African farmers face heavy losses as oversupply drags prices below production costs. Egypt expects a more dynamic season with improved seed quality and strong planting conditions, while Pakistan reports record production and rising export volumes to key regional markets. Click here to read full report.

This update provides a consolidated overview of the South African logistics network and the current state of international trade. At our container terminals, another post-pandemic record was achieved this week, as an average of 14 802 TEUs was handled daily, an increase from 11 423 TEUs the previous week. Port operations were characterised by vacant berths, inclement weather, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages. More than 30 operational hours were conceded in Cape Town this week due to adverse weather, as equipment breakdowns and inclement weather ensured operational delays in Durban. Vacant berths and adverse weather prevented optimal performance at our Eastern Cape Ports, while the Port of Richards Bay conceded around ten operational hours this week to poor weather and port meetings. The latest reports from TFR suggest that trains were running smoothly on the Central Corridor this week, and in some instances, even quicker than usual. Additionally, a derailment occurred on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng earlier this week, with the latest indications suggesting that the line will be recommissioned early next week. TFR have also indicated that the annual shutdown of the ConCor will occur towards the end of November. Click here to read full report. 

Established in celebration of Agbiz members who have reached their centenary milestones, this bursary is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in agribusiness. It provides an opportunity for South African master’s and PhD students in agribusiness management-related fields to further their studies and contribute to the future growth of the sector. If you’re passionate about advancing your academic journey and making an impact in agriculture and agribusiness, this opportunity is for you. Learn more and apply here. 

RMIS launched Phase 2 of its national traceability platform today in Pretoria. For the first time various livestock management systems across the value chain (farm, auction, feedlot, abattoir) can now share movement data in a standardised format. The Minister of Agriculture attended the launch this morning, where RMIS also introduced a free mobile app for producers who aren't yet using digital systems, so they can record movements using their GLNs. Click here to read full report. 

During October 2025, average retail prices of selected pork products (incl. Bacon products) reached R117,83/kg, 0,2% lower than in September 2025 and 15,8% higher than in October 2024. Monthly retail prices of chicken decreased by 1,2%, while beef and lamb increased by 1,2% and 0,1% respectively. Chicken retail prices were on average 5,6% lower in October 2025 compared to October 2024 while beef was 31,9% higher. Lamb was 23,8% higher over the same period. Click here to read full report.

Johan Strydom may be small in stature, but he has made huge strides in the South African deciduous fruit industry. For more than five decades, he has been at the forefront of logistics innovation, packaging, and cold chain development. Today, virtually every exporter, warehouse and logistics operator in South Africa — and beyond — bears some of Johan Strydom's influence. Read his inspiring story here.

Our industry is respected worldwide, yet there is still untapped potential right here at home. South Africa Wine has begun work on a dedicated domestic market strategy to help us better connect with local wine drinkers and grow meaningful engagement across the country. A team of experienced service providers has been appointed to lead this work, supported by a task team across the industry. Together, they will create a clear purpose, positioning, and communication approach that speaks to South African consumers in a way that feels relevant and accessible. This strategy will unfold in phases, starting with research and insight gathering, moving into creative development, and concluding with implementation planning. Read more here. 

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), shares the latest news in the citrus industry in its weekly update, From the desk of the CEO. Please click here to peruse. 

In the latest edition of Keeping it Fresh, the Fresh Produce Exporter's Forum (FPEF)'s newsletter, you will get a summary of the most pertinent information as well as reminders of important upcoming events. Please click here to peruse.

Agbiz Media Day

5 December 2025 | Pretoria, GP

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Agri-Data Revolution: Shaping Southern Africa’s Fresh Produce Future Summit 2026

17–18 March 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa 

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• Agbiz is the only organisation that serves the broader and common over-arching business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa.
• Agbiz addresses the legislative and policy environment on the many fronts that it impacts on the agribusiness environment.
• Agbiz facilitates considerable top-level networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment.
• Agbiz research provides sector-specific information for informed decision-making.
• Agbiz newsletter publishes members' press releases and member product announcements.