Over the past two decades, Rwanda achieved remarkable progress. Nearly every household now has access to mobile phones and primary education. More than half the population has electricity, and one in five has clean drinking water and sanitation services. Rwandans consume three times more electricity and live 20 years longer. These gains came from relatively modest increases in investment, education, and health spending from $150 to $420 per person—which is even below the sub-Saharan African average. What made the difference in Rwanda was more efficient public spending. This approach is an answer to fiscal pressures stemming from slow growth, rising debt, aging populations, and growing demands for defence. The key is to make every penny of taxpayer resources count. Our new analysis of 174 economies in the latest Fiscal Monitor shows that governments could gain one-third more value from their spending, on average, by adopting best practices. By spending more efficiently and better allocating existing resources, emerging markets and developing economies can increase output by 11 percent, and advanced economies by 4 percent, over the long term. Click here to read full article.

The October 2025 edition of Africa’s Pulse reports that economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has maintained momentum amid heightened global policy uncertainty. Following a trough in 2023, regional activity is poised to expand at 3.8 percent in 2025, up from 3.5 percent in 2024, and accelerate further to an annual average rate of 4.4 percent in 2026–27. Consumer price inflation has continued to recede across most Sub-Saharan African countries, albeit at varying speeds. After peaking at 9.3 percent in 2022, the region’s median inflation rate declined to 4.5 percent in 2024 and is projected to stabilize between 3.9 and 4.0 percent annually over 2025–26. Jobs are the main channel through which people reap the gains of economic growth. However, most new labor market entrants find work in low-productivity, informal sectors that offer limited prospects for rapid income growth, reduced poverty, and improved social mobility. Wage-paying jobs make up only 24 percent of employment, and less if Southern Africa is excluded. Sub-Saharan Africa requires a new growth model anchored in medium-sized and large enterprises, which are critical drivers of productivity and job creation. Click here to read full report.

AGDA celebrates 5 years of impact with a call for collaboration, inclusion, and technology-driven growth in agriculture. The Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) marked its 5th anniversary with a member and stakeholder engagement under the theme “Cultivating Innovation and Partnerships in Practice: Building Shared Agricultural Futures.” The gathering brought together government leaders, industry experts, and agribusiness stakeholders to reflect on the sector’s progress and chart new pathways for inclusive growth and innovation. AGDA is a facilitator, aggregator, and integrator, representing 45 000 farmers, 50 agribusinesses, 26 financiers, and 7 commodity organisations, a testament to its expanding footprint and influence across South Africa’s agricultural value chain. Opening the event, Kallie Schoeman delivered an insightful reflection on AGDA’s transformative journey since its inception, setting the tone for a day of meaningful dialogue. Click here to read full article by Temba Msiza, Agbiz.

The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) is proving to be a step in the right direction for the agricultural sector. The latest figures emerging from the AAMP Progress Report indicate that agricultural production volumes have steadily increased from 11% in 2015–2019 to 13% in 2019–2023. This growth is attributed to the inclusivity and transformation agenda that the AAMP seeks to achieve. Data indicates that there has been significant growth in production volumes of various agricultural commodities. For example, maize production has increased from 34% to 65%, soya bean from 72% to 80%, wheat from 17% to 53%, deciduous fruits from 17% to 49%, viticulture from 25% to 62%, and tomatoes from 8% to 94% over a period of three years. “The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan is a collective plan of action to achieve the National Development Plan’s vision for agriculture and agro-processing,” said Minister Steenhuisen at the AAMP Executive Oversight Committee Meeting in Stellenbosch, Western Cape on 7 October 2025. Click here to read full report.

2025 has shaped up to be one of the best years yet for South African agriculture. In this episode of AgriView with Wandile, we unpack the numbers behind the record summer grain and oilseed harvests, rising exports, and positive GDP growth — all pointing to a strong year for the sector. We also explore what this growth means for producers across commodities, from maize and soybeans to citrus, deciduous fruit, and wine. But behind the big wins lies an uneven recovery. Dairy farmers in KwaZulu-Natal continue to feel the effects of foot-and-mouth disease, raising urgent questions about South Africa’s biosecurity, vaccine production, and trade competitiveness. Join Wandile as he breaks down the opportunities, challenges, and the steps needed to strengthen agriculture’s long-term outlook. Click here to watch.

The writer, Jabulani Sikhakhane, has a fascinating column in the Business Day (October 8, 2025) about the need to rethink rural development in the former homelands of South Africa, extending the focus beyond agriculture. Broadly, I agree with his sentiment and much of the literature he cites in his column, which states that communities need more than just agriculture. However, I want to emphasise that since the dawn of democracy, South Africa has consistently failed to stimulate agricultural growth in the former homelands of this country. While South Africa’s agricultural economy has more than doubled since 1994, this expansion has mainly been in the traditionally commercial regions. The former homelands remain in the periphery of agricultural growth, although some have access to fertile lands. Poor land governance and inadequate infrastructure are among the key constraints to agricultural development. Therefore, it is unsurprising that households may lose hope in agriculture and seek to focus on other areas. Click here to read full article.

This morning in the Business Day, Shoprite, one of South Africa’s retailers, reminded us of the worsening level of poverty in the country. The organisation attributed the worsening poverty, in part, to the “deep challenges in food affordability and access, with consumers under severe pressure in the face of subdued economic growth and high unemployment.” This picture is not very different from what Statistics South Africa also highlighted earlier this year. In February 2025, Statistics South Africa released the Food Security Report for 2019, 2022, and 2023 (COVID-19 affected the ability to collect data in 2020 and 2021). The report utilised data from the General Household Survey (GHS) for those years. The report’s most striking observation was that: “The proportion of households in South Africa that experienced moderate to severe food insecurity was estimated at 15.8% in 2019, 16.2% in 2022, and 19.7% in 2023. Over this period, the proportion of households that experienced severe food insecurity was estimated to be 6.4%, 7.5%, and 8.0%, respectively.” Click here to read full report.

On 13 October 2025, the Agricultural Conditions Assessment Committee of South Africa (ACAC), under the Department of Agriculture, held its third quarterly meeting for 2025. The ACAC deliberated, amongst other things, on the statistical matters and methodology for the collection of agricultural statistics and the stress-testing of the data quality that supports the calculation of the quarterly gross domestic product from the agricultural sector (AgGDP). The Department of Agriculture is currently undertaking a benchmarking exercise to review the current methodologies applied in the calculation of the AgGDP. Furthermore, there will be regular reviews of the data and methods, with technical support from the industry stakeholders where necessary. The ACAC also discussed the agricultural conditions in the country, and the following is the Committee's brief assessment. The ACAC continues to view South Africa's agricultural conditions as uneven, but leaning more towards the favourable growth path for most industries. In field crops, the output is up from the 2023-24 season, boosted by the favourable rainfall and vast planting area. For example, South Africa's 2024-25 summer grains and oilseed harvest is estimated at 19.94 million tonnes, a 28% year-on-year increase. Click here to read full report.

This past week, we spent some time on the road, which allowed us to assess early planting activity for the 2025-26 summer crop season. We were encouraged by what we saw. Indeed, in the eastern regions of the country, farmers are already busy tilling the land to take advantage of the early summer rains. We observed activity in some areas of Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape. These are mainly yellow maize and soybean growing regions, crops that are key to the livestock industry. Given that the 2024-25 season was late by roughly a month and a half, there was some concern that the upcoming season may also be slightly behind the typical schedule. But that is not what we are observing on the ground. The fieldwork currently underway suggests that the season is starting on schedule, which would allow the crop to mature early before any potential frost later in the season. Importantly, the most recent update from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is now broadly aligned with other international weather forecasters, who state that the 2025-26 summer season may be a period of La Niña rains. Click here to read full article.

In the week of September 26 and October 3, 2025, Zimbabwe imported 34,093 tonnes of maize from South Africa. These imports are at a time when Zimbabwe has previously announced a ban on maize imports, an effort that was set to provide the local producers space to sell their produce to the domestic users. From the onset of this ban, we expressed disappointment and doubts about whether Zimbabwe had sufficient maize supplies to support its domestic consumption. Plainly, our view was that the country didn't have enough maize to meet its annual demand and would need to import maize. We based our view on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), indicating that Zimbabwe's maize production is approximately 1.3 million tonnes. Given the annual consumption of 2.0 million tonnes, they naturally need about 700,000 tonnes to fulfil their needs. Notably, days after the announcement of the ban, there was also growing evidence that the supply is constrained. Some milling firms faced challenges due to the maize shortage. Click here to read full article.

SA’s agricultural sector is in what some would consider a relatively quiet period, before the busy season starts again in a few weeks. Farmers will begin tilling the land for summer crops starting in mid-October. Towards the end of November, the table grape industry will also start with its harvesting period, followed by the winter crops, and there will be more activities from that period onwards. This breather provides us time to assess what the 2025/26 summer crop season may have in store. There is room for optimism as we see early indications that the 2025/26 season may yet be another strong production year for SA’s agriculture. This is as we emerge from a solid 2024/25 season characterised by ample harvests of various crops, fruits and vegetables, and a better grazing veld, supported by the favourable La Niña-induced rains. Looking to the upcoming season, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), on which we have long leant for forecasts, issued its monthly update on September 19, indicating an increased possibility of a La Niña occurrence from October through to early next year. Click here to read full article.

South Africa’s agricultural sector is in what some would consider a relatively quiet period, before the busy season starts again in a few weeks. Farmers will soon begin tilling the land for summer crops, starting in mid-October. Towards the end of November, the table grape industry will also start with its harvesting period, followed by the winter crops, and there will be more activity from that period onwards. This breather provides us time to assess what the 2025-26 summer crop season may have in store. There is room for optimism as we see some early indications that the 2025-26 season may yet be another strong production year for South Africa’s agriculture. This comes as we emerge from a solid 2024-25 season characterised by ample harvests of various crops, fruits and vegetables, and a better grazing veld, supported by the favourable La Niña-induced rains. Looking to the upcoming season, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, which we have long leaned on for forecasts, released its monthly update on 19 September, indicating an increased possibility of La Niña occurrence from October through to early next year. Click here to read full article.

At the start of this year, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, along with organised agriculture, agribusinesses, and research groups in agriculture, established the Agricultural Conditions Assessment Committee of South Africa (ACAC), housed under the Department. The ACAC meets quarterly to assess statistical matters and methodology for the collection of agricultural statistics. The ACAC also provides a platform for organised agricultural stakeholders and industry experts to share their views on observing the evolving agricultural landscape in South Africa. I am part of the ACAC, and today, October 13, we had a meeting for the third quarter of 2025. In the section about the agricultural conditions in the country, the ACAC viewed South Africa’s agricultural conditions as uneven, but leaning more towards the favourable growth path for most industries. I want to lift a few passages from ACAC’s official statement, which succinctly summarise the current state of our sector. Click here to read full article. 

South Africa is a net wheat importer, and October 3 marked the first week of the new 2025-26 marketing year. The imports for the first week of the 2025-26 marketing year totalled 20,362 tonnes. The suppliers were from Australia (52%), Lithuania (43%) and Poland (5%). We expect South Africa’s 2025-26 wheat imports to reach 1.74 million tonnes, down marginally from 1.83 million tonnes in 2024-25 marketing year because of an expected slight recovery in the domestic harvest. For anyone wondering why South Africa imports wheat, I must highlight some brief historical perspective I have shared here before. South Africa began importing over a million tonnes of wheat from the 2003-04 marketing year. In the years before that, wheat imports averaged 458,518 tonnes, for example, between 1989-90 and 2002-03. The import surge resulted from increased consumption and a decline in area plantings. From the 1997-98 season, South Africa’s wheat plantings fell below a million hectares, the norm in seasons before this period. Click here to read full article.

It has been reported that in October 2025, Zimbabwe quietly lifted its temporary ban on maize imports. In August, the Southern African country imposed a ban on maize imports to boost local farmers, as there was enough to supply its millers after a bumper harvest. A decision that was met with skepticism by some analysts who believed the domestic supply would be insufficient. For more on this, Thami Ngubeni is joined on the line by Wandile Sihlobo, a Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa. Click here to watch.

Agbiz Chief Economist Wandile Sihlobo discuss the new positive outlook for the new planting season, better tractor sales and the benefit of the La Nina rain season in the Agricultural season. Click here to listen.

Just a few years ago, South Africa’s self-pollinating crops industry, encompassing soya beans, wheat, oats, barley, and lupins, was in steep decline. The development of new varieties had slowed, yields had stagnated, and the total hectares under cultivation was shrinking. Andrew Bennett, CEO of the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (Sacta), explains that unlike hybrid crops such as maize, self-pollinating crops used to allow producers to retain grain from one season and replant it in the next, often with minimal yield loss. South African legislation permitted this practice, enabling producers to avoid annual seed purchases. The recent proclamation of the new plant breeders’ legislation however limits these practices (see article elsewhere in this issue). While beneficial to producers, this undermined commercial incentives for seed companies to invest in breeding programmes for these crops. To address this challenge, Sacta was established as a non-profit agency to administer statutory breeding and technology levies on self-pollinating grain crops. The goal: restore investment in cultivar development and break the cycle of declining innovation. Click here to read full article for Agbiz Grain .

Over the past 150 years, leaps in energy technology and availability around the world have made numerous jobs easier, faster, or even obsolete. Think of laundromats replacing laundresses, automation and robots taking the place of workers in assembly lines, and now artificial intelligence-assisted chatbots replacing customer service agents. The same is true in Africa, but the shift is happening at a much slower pace. In a region where roughly 600 million people still lack access to electricity and many industries are being held back by unreliable or unaffordable electricity, access to energy holds the power to transform economies, increase incomes, and reshape the employment environment for the better. That is good news for Africa, as the job landscape urgently needs to be disrupted. Across the region, informal and subsistence work still employs the majority of working-age Africans, leaving too many families vulnerable to poverty. Most earn a living through self-employment or micro-businesses, which offer limited scope for investment and growth. Click here to read full article.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed a Team Europe investment package worth nearly €12-billion, announced at the Global Gateway Forum, in Brussels, Belgium, last week. This package builds on the €4.7-billion package announced at the EU-South Africa Summit in March, as previously reported by Engineering News. “This innovative partnership focuses on priorities that South Africa has set for itself as it strives to improve the lives of its people. These priorities include investment, the clean energy transition, skills and technology, connectivity and developing strategic industries. Importantly, the partnership will contribute to the work being done to create jobs,” the President writes in his latest weekly letter. He points out that the investment package covers areas such as critical minerals, e-battery development, green hydrogen, renewable energy and vaccines. “This will lead to the creation of a number of jobs, skills development and transfer of technology,” Ramaphosa posits. He adds that the investments will support the effort to “build the economy of the future in the South Africa of the present”, and will help to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy that is “just and inclusive”. Click here to read full article. 

The global economy has shown “unexpected resilience” in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs, but the full impact is yet to be felt, and outlook for growth remains “dim”, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. As policymakers gather in Washington for its annual meetings, the IMF has upgraded its forecast for global GDP growth this year to 3.2%, from 3% at its last update in July. Next year’s global forecast is unchanged, at 3.1%. The forecast for economic growth in the UK has also been modestly increased, from 1.2% to 1.3% this year – though slightly downgraded next year, also to 1.3%. “To date, more protectionist trade measures have had a limited impact on economic activity and prices,” the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO). The Fund cited the slow-burn economic impact of Brexit as evidence that the uncertainty unleashed by dramatic policy shifts such as Trump’s tariffs may take time to feed through into investment decisions. “Business investment continued to grow in the period immediately following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and started to fall steadily only beginning in 2018,” it said. Click here to read full report.

The World Bank's approach to supporting rail logistics focuses on enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of rail transport systems globally, with a particular emphasis on shifting freight traffic from carbon-intensive transport modes, like road, to rail. Rail logistics is a key part of addressing the dual challenge of transport decarbonization and inclusive economic growth, helping countries reduce emissions while supporting competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable development. The World Bank applies an integrated approach built around three core pillars: infrastructure financing, policy and regulatory reform, and technical assistance and knowledge sharing. The World Bank is actively engaged in railway research, analysis, technical support, policy dialogue and lending projects in over 20 countries worldwide. World Bank-supported rail logistics projects are delivering tangible results: lowering transport costs, improving freight efficiency, enhancing railway and operating safety, and reducing emissions. Rail logistics sits at the crossroads of economic growth, job creation, and climate action. As developing countries expand their economies and create job opportunities, demand for efficient, reliable and sustainable logistics systems keeps rising. Click here to read full report.

I cannot think of a better place to talk about the pursuit of opportunity than here, it is exactly what the centre is about. As I look at the world over the decades, I see incredible progress, but also unfulfilled dreams. The average person today is much better off than, say, 30 years ago, but the averages conceal deep undercurrents of marginalization, discontent, and hardship. Many people in many places—especially the young—are taking their disappointment to the streets: from Lima to Rabat, from Paris to Nairobi, and from Kathmandu to Jakarta, all are demanding better opportunity. In the U.S., your chances of growing up to earn more than your parents keep falling. Here too, discontent has been evident—and has helped precipitate the policy revolution that is now unfolding, reshaping trade, immigration, and many international frameworks. All of this plays out against a backdrop of deep transformations: in geopolitics; in technology; in demographics, with populations surging in some places and shrinking in others; and in the mounting harm we do to our planet. Click here to watch full delivery by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF.

One of Europe’s biggest farm machinery companies, Krone, has been forced to pause exports of large equipment to the US because of “alarming” and little-known new tariffs that are hitting hundreds of products from knitting needles and hair dryers to combine harvesters. Among the products on the steel derivatives list drawn up in consultation with US manufacturers, Donald Trump is taxing 407 specific products ranging from tiny embroidery stilettos to cooker hoods, barbecues, fridges, freezers, dishwashers, hair curling tongs, grills, elevators, bridge and railway structures, agriculture equipment and wind turbines. It has meant that since 18 August, companies such as Krone and the construction company Liebherr in Germany have to provide an unprecedented level of detail to customs border authorities certifying the origin, weight and value of any steel in their products right down to nuts and bolts. “You have to get paperwork from the supplier to the supplier to the supplier. That is pretty much impossible,” said Oliver Richtberg, the head of foreign trade at the German engineering federation VDMA, one of the most influential trade bodies in Europe. Click here to read full article.

JSE-listed KAL Group has stated that new U.S. tariffs may create challenges for niche agricultural sectors, but are unlikely to significantly affect South Africa's overall agricultural recovery. Instead, they could accelerate diversification into other markets. KAL Group CEO Sean Walsh said global trade flows are shifting in ways that may benefit South African producers. "The disruption is accelerating a shift towards new opportunities. Trade flows are starting to realign, and long-planned diversification into Asia, Africa, and Europe is gaining momentum, supported by better logistics and stronger trade partnerships," he said. Walsh noted that while the U.S. is an important overall trading partner, it is not dominant in agriculture. "This is supported by trade data from a recent Agbiz research report, which shows that in the first quarter of 2025, SADC markets accounted for roughly 39% of South Africa's agricultural exports, followed by the European Union with around 25%. Other major destinations include the United Kingdom, China, and regional African markets (SACU). The United States accounted for only 4-6.5% of total agricultural exports over recent years." Click here to read full article. 

This update provides a consolidated overview of the South African logistics network and the current state of international trade. At our container terminals, an average of 11 584 TEUs was handled daily, a notable decrease from 13 401 TEUs the previous week. Operational delays were characterised by inclement weather, vacant berths, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages. Gushing winds, vacant berths, and equipment challenges disrupted port operations in Cape Town, as adverse weather, equipment breakdowns, and network challenges ensured operational delays in Durban. Strong winds and high swells prevented optimal performance at our Eastern Cape Ports, while inclement weather conditions presented operational difficulties at the Port of Richards Bay. The latest reports from TFR suggest that intermittent cable theft ensured operational delays on the ConCor line over the weekend, while trains are still moving slowly on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng due to locomotive issues. The latest Southern African Terminal Services Update from Maersk for Week 40 suggests that the largest South African terminals remain fluid with minimal waiting times. 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. 

Agbiz would like to invite dynamic and suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Head: Strategic Projects. This is a strategically significant post that reports to the CEO. The Head: Strategic Projects leads Agbiz’s work on high-impact, cross-cutting initiatives that support the transformation, competitiveness, and sustainability of the agribusiness sector. This position is responsible for the identification, development, coordination, and execution of special projects, often in partnership with member organisations, government departments, industry associations, and external experts. The role contributes directly to Agbiz’s advocacy and visibility by managing strategic initiatives, responding to national sectoral developments, and supporting the CEO in implementing Agbiz’s mission. Click here to learn more. 

South Africa’s wine industry is preparing for a promising 2026 harvest following a favourable winter and spring. Good rainfall, beneficial winter dormancy, and early spring warmth have supported even bud break and strong initial growth across most wine regions. “The 2025 post-harvest period set the stage well for the start of the 2026 harvest that lies ahead,” said Dr Etienne Terblanche, Vinpro Consultation Services Manager. “Winter cold units were sufficient in almost all regions, spring vineyard canopies are healthy, and flower clusters in early cultivars look promising. While vineyard surfaces are gradually shrinking and the share of older vines increases, the technical indicators point to a crop similar in size to 2025.” Early indications suggest that 2026 has the potential to be a high-quality vintage. Flower clusters are developing normally, and most vineyards experienced even bud break and growth. South African producers have again demonstrated resilience and skill, optimising the crop potential while working with less vineyard surface. Click here to read report.

Increased producer prices and decreased yellow maize prices during week 40. During week 40 of 2025, the pork producer price averaged R36,07/kg, 0,6% higher than the previous week. The yellow maize price averaged R3 451/t, 2,7% lower than the previous week. Producer prices in relation to yellow maize prices averaged 10,5, 3,3% higher than the previous week. Click here to read full report.

Volume 10 of Hortgro New Roots - our transformation newsletter that documents the continuous endeavours to create a more sustainable and inclusive South African deciduous fruit industry. Click here to read full report.

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. 

Explore the latest developments in the South African wine industry. Click here to read latest issue and stay updated on key insights and upcoming events.

Agbiz Media Day WC

23 October 2025 | Elsenburg, WC

Learn more

• 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.