One-month delay comes after US administration receives assurances from Mexican leaders on border controls. President Trump has agreed to delay US tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month after winning concessions on border security. On Monday, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum posted on X that Mexico will immediately reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard to prevent drug trafficking from Mexico to the US, particularly fentanyl. “We had a good conversation with President Trump with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty; we reached a series of agreements,” Sheinbaum stated. Trump said he had agreed to pause the anticipated tariffs for a one-month period, during which a delegation headed by secretary of state Marco Rubio, secretary of treasury Scott Bessent, and secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick will hold talks with their Mexican counterparts. The US president later held last-minute talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who subsequently posted a similar message on X. Click here to read full article derived from fruitnet.com.

What will it take to bring electricity to 300 million people in Africa who currently live without it? This is the goal we’ve set for Mission 300—to halve the number of people on the continent without reliable electricity by 2030. But setting a goal is just the spark. We need a full-blown power surge of bold reforms, investments, and an enabling environment for sustainable, scalable, and affordable energy solutions. This isn’t just an ambitious goal: it’s also one of the greatest opportunities of our time. Powering Africa is key to raising living standards, creating jobs for the millions of youths entering the job market each year, ensuring essential services, empowering women, driving digitalization, and propelling growth. And it’s no wonder that last week in Davos, Africa stood out as the new frontier of growth. But with 2030 fast approaching and amid the continent's rapid population growth, we must shift from discussion to decisive action and ignite a movement. Closing the energy access gap is within reach. With the cost of renewable energy falling over the past decade, we are closer than ever. And with Africa in the driver’s seat, this will be indeed possible. Click here to read full article derived from blogs.worldbank.org.

South Africa has a new law to govern the expropriation (or compulsory acquisition) of private property by government for public purposes or in the public interest. The passing of the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 followed a parliamentary process that began in 2020. The act repeals the apartheid-era Expropriation Act 63 of 1975, and aims to align expropriation law with the constitution. It sets out the procedures, rules and regulations for expropriation. Besides setting out in quite a detailed fashion how expropriations are to take place, the act also provides an outline regarding how compensation is to be determined. In South Africa’s colonial and apartheid past, land distribution was grossly unequal on the basis of race. The country is still suffering the effects of this. So expropriation of property is a potential tool to reduce land inequality. This has become a matter of increasing urgency. South Africans have expressed impatience with the slow pace of land reform. There is much debate in the country about the provisions of the new act. Click here to read full article derived from theconversation.com. 

No doubt President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Act has sparked debate on land reform and property rights. While some view it as a victory, others fear it undermines private ownership. Theo Boshoff, CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) shares his thoughts on the new law and separates fact from fiction. In January 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act into law. The president's signature followed an intensive consultation process spanning 12 years, numerous written inputs, two Nedlac processes, and two parliamentary processes. The final act in the legislative process triggered fierce responses from civil society groups, political parties, and various interest groups. Some hailed it as a landmark change in land reform policy whilst others condemned it as the end of private property rights as we know them. We don't have insight into the cabinet processes that should or should not be followed, but the content of the act doesn't support either camp's conclusions. To place the act's actual impact into context, some common misconceptions must be clarified. Click here to read full by Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff for foodformzansi.co.za.

The key difference between the repealed pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975 and the newly signed Expropriation Bill is that the court is given the right to award nil compensation in cases of expropriation of land. “The difference really is that provision that explicitly states that a court may, not must, award a nil rand compensation,” says Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz. This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to a new law that makes it easier for the government to expropriate land in the public interest, subject to equitable compensation being paid. She explains that the nil rand implies that there must be a calculation taking into consideration the factors in Section 25 of the Constitution, which then comes to a result of nil rands. Section 25 (2) of the Constitution states that property may be expropriated only in terms of law of general application — (a) for a public purpose or in the public interest; and (b) subject to compensation, the amount of which and the time and manner of payment of which have either been agreed to by those affected or decided or approved by a court. “It’s not as if it is going to happen in every single case and that it is going to be automatic without any justification.” Click here to read full interview by moneyweb.co.za with Agbiz head of legal intelligence Annelize Crosby. 

US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw US funding to South Africa over its land reform policies after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law last month. But what are the implications of this and what does the Expropriation Act practically mean for you? If you’re feeling confused by the headlines, you’re not alone and we’re here to cut through the noise. Annelize Crosby, Agbiz Head of Legal Intelligence participated in the discussion, click here to watch.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Expropriation Bill into law, concluding a five-year process. The amended Expropriation Act has sparked widespread debate, with some strongly opposing it while others view it more favourably. In order to shed some light on the controversial law, Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly editor, Janine Ryan, about how the amended Expropriation Act differs from the Expropriation Act of 1975, what the amended Act says about expropriation without compensation, and whether the Act aligns with Section 25 of the Constitution. Click here to watch.

Now that US President Donald Trump has followed through with his election promise to impose tariffs on imports from Canada (25%), Mexico (25%) and China (10%), what can we expect next? And how should organized agriculture businesses and the South African government prepare for this new normal? In one sense, there is nothing unexpected about Trump's use of tariffs to pursue America's mercantilist objectives. Similar tariffs were deployed back in 2018, but that was against China, which Western countries had a silent consensus that it was a strategic rivalry. Now, with close allies such as Canada and Mexico, this takes trade frictions to shocking levels. In the coming years, as trade friction persists globally, we suspect that there likely will be a change in various regions' trade approaches, with some preferring more protectionism for their markets in general. The EU is one such region. For agriculture, farmers from France and other major EU countries have called for months for restrictions on imports of agricultural products. This is likely to intensify, and in some instances, it may take the form of non-tariff barriers to soften the blow in the public gallery. Click here to read full article by Agbiz Chief Economist Wandile Sihlobo.

I know a lot is happening on the trade policy front, especially with US President Trump recently imposing tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico. I will probably say something about the implications of much of this on agriculture soon, but my preliminary thoughts are here. For now, I want to comment on the summer crop conditions across South Africa, as this is such a tricky season. At its start, we generally expected a recovery in agricultural production from the 2023-24 season, characterized by the drought caused by El Niño, which damaged summer crops. Indeed, various regions of South Africa received much-needed rains in October 2024, permitting the start of summer grain and oilseed planting and a recovery in the grazing veld. But from November 2024, soon after some regions finished planting and before others could plant, South Africa struggled with intense heat, affecting crops and the grazing veld. Various areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Free State were amongst the most affected by the November heat. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

There are divergent views about the effectiveness and extent to which South Africa’s agricultural policies have been implemented. Regardless of how experts feel about the capacity of the state and the policy stance of the government since the dawn of democracy, the one undeniable fact is that the sector has grown tremendously. Data from the department of agriculture shows that domestic agricultural output in 2022/23 was twice as high as in 1993/94. Whether this growth has been inclusive and transformative is a question I will return to later in this piece. For now, it is important to emphasise the growth of the industry and the drivers of its expansion. Significantly, this expansion was not driven by a few sectors but has been widespread; livestock, horticulture and field crops have all seen strong growth over this period. Production of some crops, most notably wheat and sorghum, has declined over time, but this has had a lot to do with changes in agroecological conditions and falling demand in the case of sorghum, not policy. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo. 

South Africa’s land reform policy remains highly contested. But, in our view, a number of persistent myths about farmland statistics and the structure of commercial agriculture skew debates. This makes it difficult to reach some common understanding about the realities of land and agriculture in the country. In 1994 when South Africa became a democracy, white farmers owned 77.580 million hectares of farmland out of the total surface area of 122 million hectares. The new government set a target of redistributing 30% of this within five years. This target date has been moved several times and is now 2030. According to popular belief between 8% and 10% has been redistributed so far. But as we show below this is incorrect as it omits a number of key statistics. Only 17%-20% of the 77,58 million ha is suitable for field crop, irrigation and horticultural production. More than 55% of farmland is only ideal for extensive grazing (land that is poor and dry but animals can roam widely, the Karoo being an example), and another 20% for intensive pastures and animal production (land, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands being an example, that receives good rains and has good pastures for grazing). Click here to read full article by Johann Kristen and Wandile Sihlobo for theconversation.com.

As trade tensions between the US, China, Canada, and Mexico escalate, Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo remains confident that South Africa's agriculture will see little impact. Here's his take. Some doubted whether US President Donald Trump would implement all the trade tariff plans he promised during his election campaign, especially for Mexico and Canada. In the case of China, the possibility was high, as it would not be the first time the Trump administration imposed tariffs on China. We saw such steps in 2018 when the Chinese government retaliated, mainly targeting various agricultural products that the US exported to China. Well, we were wrong. Over the week, Trump pushed ahead and imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10% on China. These duties will be added to the existing tariffs. The Trump administration accuses these countries of allowing the smuggling of fentanyl into the US and the immigration issues. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo for foodformzansi.co.za. And click here to read SA needs to hone export strategies amid rising trade friction.

With the return of Donald Trump as US president, trade relations have become a top-of-mind issue and probably will be for some time to come. Trump has wasted no time imposing import tariffs against various countries. In this world of potential trade disruptions it is important for countries with strong trade ties to strengthen relations. For SA's agricultural sector the African continent is the largest trading partner, accounting for roughly 40% of the country’s agricultural exports of about $1.,2bn in 2023. While prospects for growth of this market remain uncertain because of high saturation, with far faster export growth likely to Asia and the Middle East, retaining existing export markets is critical for SA agriculture. In the recent past there has been some friction in SA’s trade relations with the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), a free trade zone that includes Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini as well as SA. In 2021 Botswana banned imports of vegetables from SA, which continued until its removal by the new administration of president Duma Boko in December 2024. Namibia’s similar ban, which started shortly after that of Botswana, remains in place. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo for businesslive.co.za.

Given the fragmented trade and South Africa’s quest to diversify its exports, we must explore a range of regions. The Middle East is one such interesting region, and it is deepening its economic ties with Africa. In March 2024, The Economist magazine published an article titled "The Gulf's scramble for Africa is reshaping the continent." The article focused on growing geopolitical ties and significant investments in infrastructure projects, such as ports, in various African countries. The leading countries are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. For countries like South Africa, which has diverse interests worldwide, the Middle East's growing interest in Africa requires proactive engagement, mainly to attract investments and open up the market for exporting sectors of the economy. Agriculture is one sector that needs investment and a broadening of export markets. Consider the eastern regions of South Africa and the former homelands. These areas typically are on the periphery of agricultural progress because of poor land governance and weak infrastructure, which effectively isolate them from the formal value chains of the food, fibre, and beverage sectors. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

While the start of South Africa's 2024-25 crop season was tricky, there remains optimism that farmers likely planted more area than the previous season. The preliminary plantings data released by the Crop Estimates Committee this afternoon shows that South African farmers likely planted 4,45 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024-25 season, up mildly by 0,3% from the previous season. Some of these plantings likely happen outside the typical optimal window because of some regions' unfavourable weather conditions at the start of the season. In such areas, there will be a need for better rains through to March, when the crops will likely pollinate. Click here to listen to full Agricultural Market Viewpoint with Wandile Sihlobo.

Agbiz Grain Quarterly is a leading digital magazine for South Africa’s grain handling and storage industry. The February 2025 issue explores the vital role of internships in modern grain companies, along with a new program for training grain silo managers. It also examines how industry leaders are adapting to technological advancements, climate change, and evolving market dynamics. This issue features insights on Senwes’ new CEO and his focus on innovation, mycotoxin risk management strategies, and the implications of ESG for the grain and oilseeds sector. It also covers Transnet’s Final Network Statement and what it means for moving grain by rail again, plus highlights from the Agbiz Grain SHEQ seminar. Download the PDF here | Read the digimag here.

The drought has laid bare the extraordinary resilience of our producers. Despite grappling with the harsh realities of climate change, these unsung heroes continue to toil, ensuring our country remains food secure. Their unwavering commitment is a testament to their courage and determination. The farming industry is characterised by a unique mix of natural risks and economic pressures. Some of the biggest challenges producers face are the ever-rising cost of inputs, the need for insurance, and the heavy burden of debt. They also face a unique challenge, namely being price takers and not price makers. This means they have little control over the market prices for their products. Rising input costs, such as for fuel and fertiliser, also lead to shrinking profit margins. The drought has exacerbated this problem, with many producers forced to sell their products at a loss just to stay afloat. I have heard many stories of how producers in Mpumalanga, Northeastern Free State, and Northern Cape came together to pray for relief, encouraged each other not to give up, and shared valuable advice to overcome this difficult time. Click here to read full article by Minister John Steenhuisen for Agbiz Grain Quarterly – February 2025 issue.  

A sharp drop in international project finance raises concerns about sustainable development funding and highlights the need for countries to diversify strategies to attract and sustain investment. Foreign direct investment (FDI) to developing countries fell 2% in 2024, marking a second consecutive annual decline, according to UN Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) latest Global Investment Trends Monitor. The drop in international project finance was particularly sharp, plummeting 31%. Africa and Asia were hit hard, with nearly 200 fewer announced projects in Africa and almost 150 fewer in Asia. This downturn jeopardizes progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many of which rely heavily on international finance. Globally, investments in SDG-related sectors fell 11% in 2024, with fewer projects in agrifood systems, infrastructure, and water and sanitation than in 2015, when the goals were adopted. The decline in the Global South came as global FDI rose 11% to $1.4 trillion. However, UN Trade and Development noted that global FDI actually fell 8% when excluding some European conduit economies, which often serve as transfer points for investment before they reach their final destination. Click here to read full article. 

As the 21st century dawned, world leaders were in a confident mood. They resolved to make “the right to development a reality for everyone” and free “the entire human race from want.” Fifteen years later, buoyed by the initial burst of progress, they set a tight deadline: “We resolve, between now and 2030, to end poverty and hunger everywhere.” For a time, it seemed humanity might be on the brink of an era of extraordinary progress. But it was not to be. As the first quarter of the century comes to a close, it’s clear that the lofty goals of the past few decades will not be met. The long-term growth outlook for developing economies is now the weakest it’s been since the start of the century, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. Without a sustained improvement in growth rates, only six of today’s 26 low-income countries are likely to attain middle-income status by 2050. By 2030, 622 million people will remain in extreme poverty. Hunger and malnutrition will continue to be the fate of roughly the same number. Click here to read full article derived from blogs.worldbank.org.

This is a traceability data exchange platform for the South African red meat value chain that is driven by the Red Meat Industry and aligned with the government to assist with national disease management, market access requirements, and meat safety. The platform focuses on identifying, capturing, and efficiently exchanging relevant traceability data in a standardized language between role-players. The traceability platform has been named Red Meat and Livestock Identification and Traceability - South Africa. Guidance regarding the platform and relevant information as well as implementation is guided by a Traceability Task Team, established on 3 October 2024, comprising key representatives from industry organizations, including RPO, NALFA-SA, SA Red Meat1, the National Department of Agriculture, Cape Wools & NWGA, RMIS, Gendac, and GS1. RMIS is also in continuous consultation with other relevant role-players including auctioneers, SAFA and RMAA. Click here to read about Traceability platform. 

Farmer’s Weekly asked leading agricultural role players about their expectations for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 6 February, as well as their views on government’s progress in delivering on promises made during SONA 2024. According to Bennie van Zyl, general manager of TLU SA, little progress has been made since SONA 2024, with high unemployment, poor service delivery, infrastructural challenges and crime still serious challenges. He added that restrictions and policies that negatively affect business confidence, agricultural production and food security, such as expropriation without compensation and amendments to property rights, and corruption and state capture, which led to the dysfunction of state departments and corroded public trust, continue to erode any progress. Van Zyl said that Ramaphosa would have to move away from the ANC’s ideological agenda to bring about meaningful change, by instead focusing on practical solutions that prioritise the country and its people. Click here to read full article derived from farmersweekly.co.za.

South Africa Wine, representing the South African wine industry, has submitted a comprehensive response to the National Treasury regarding proposed changes to wine excise taxation, expressing serious concerns about the potential impact on the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness. Following the National Treasury’s publication of the Excise Taxation Policy Paper in November 2024, the industry was initially given a short timeframe to provide input. South Africa Wine, its members and industry stakeholders successfully requested an extension, and stakeholders were granted until 14 February 2025 to make submissions. Today, South Africa Wine has officially submitted its response, outlining the severe consequences these proposed changes would have on the sector. “The timing and scope of these proposed taxation changes could not be more challenging for our industry,” says Rico Basson, CEO of South Africa Wine. “We’ve prepared an extensive submission demonstrating these changes’ severe implications across our entire value chain.” The submission addresses the immediate changes to excise rates expected in the February 2025 Budget Speech and the broader proposals outlined in the Taxation of Alcohol Beverages policy document. Click here to read full report issued by South Africa Wine.

Over December rain barely stopped falling over South Africa's central areas, leading to a shortage in the fresh produce market, starting with leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and herbs but now not a single line is unaffected says André Dippenaar from DW Fresh at the Tshwane municipal market. The impact on vegetables of waterlogged fields and fungal disease is becoming clear on the markets. The expectation is of fewer tomatoes until April. Carrot processors usually with their own direct supply, have had to come buy on the market – but there's very little. André Dippenaar doesn't ever remember carrot volumes being this low. "Normally we'd open with 80,000 units of carrots, 5kg or 1kg or so forth. Now we opened with 15,000 bags: that's really little." In Brits, he says, one of his carrot farmers had to plow in several hectares of the vegetable, rotting as soil temperatures climbed, cooking the carrots where they stand. "This time of the year the floors are usually packed," he adds. Now he points to the open spaces: the market is unusually empty. " Read full article derived from freshplaza.com here.

The Land Act seeks to protect farmland, but opposition groups claim it restricts farmers’ decision-making and imposes harsh penalties. Farmers are not happy about the promulgation of the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Act recently signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa said the law will ensure that agricultural land supports long-term food production and that agriculture contributes to economic growth. He said the law was in line with the government’s priorities for the sustainable management and use of natural resources. “The law creates an enabling environment for the development of the agricultural sector and an increased contribution by this sector to economic growth. “The law seeks to protect and preserve agricultural land and its productive use to ensure that agricultural land is available and viable for the development of the sector,” said Ramaphosa. He said the legislation sets out the purpose of provincial agricultural sector plans to secure the coordination of agricultural land use policies and preserve a sustainable agricultural environment. Click here to read full article derived from citizen.co.za.

The Department of Agriculture, is pleased to announce that South Africa has regained market access for exportation of fresh apples from South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand. These import conditions for this market were Gazetted on 18 December 2024. This market had been closed for about 16 years (from January 2008 to December 2024) due to changes in requirements by the trading partner. Apple is one of the most important deciduous fruits grown in South Africa, taking into consideration its foreign exchange earnings and employment creation. The South African apple industry is export oriented with approximately half of the apples produced being absorbed by the export market. According to Hortgro, South African apple exports have surged by 40% over the past decade, which was largely driven by exports to the Far East and Asia, which currently account for about 35% of all South African apple exports. All fresh apples to be exported from South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand must meet all agreed- upon and applicable phytosanitary requirements. Click here to read full statement issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Argentina lemon/lime 2024/25 production is expected to decline 70,000 tons to 1.4 million due to un-favourable rainfall during the bloom, which is expected to affect the fruit quality. Argentina is the fourth largest lemon/lime producer and exporter globally. Exports have been on the decline the last 4 years due to un-favourable weather affecting yield, fruit quality, and size, with 2024/25 area harvested dropping to 41,000 hectares from 45,000 the year before. Fresh lemon/lime exports in 2024/25 are forecast at 165,000 tons. The United States is the top destination for lemon/lime exports after Argentina regained access to the U.S. market in 2017/18. Argentina has been the second largest supplier to the United States the past 4 years, only behind Mexico. The European Union is now Argentina’s second largest market. South Africa has positioned itself as Argentina's main competitor in the European Union as South Africa has been the top supplier the past 5 years. The number of trees per hectare have been on the decline during the past 4 years. Some producers have diversified their crops to include commodities such as avocados, sugarcane, and grains. Click here to read full report by USDA.

At our last meeting, we warned about a more challenging global environment. Some of the risks we saw then have since materialised. In particular, the outlook for monetary policy in the United States has changed. The space for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve now looks limited, with core inflation still elevated1 and new inflation risks emerging, such as rising tariffs on trade. It is even possible that US rates could go up again, to stabilise inflation. Growth outside of the United States is generally more subdued. The largest economies in Europe have had weak economic performance. Germany has had two years of contraction, and both France and the UK have slow growth. At the same time, core inflation remains elevated, and rate-cut expectations have been pared back, although less than in the United States. Meanwhile, China’s economy has been decelerating, with very low inflation and a marked decline in interest rates. In these circumstances, the US dollar has appreciated strongly, and according to some measures has reached an all-time high. Click here to read full statement issued by Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

Hortgro, an organization that supports and represents the deciduous fruit producers of South Africa, announces its second annual "Plum Possibilities" consumer-facing sweepstakes to shoppers in the United States. "We are thrilled to build upon the engagement and success we experienced from our inaugural promotion launch last year," said Wilechia Van Der Westhuizen, trade development manager at Hortgro. "Having the opportunity to continue to educate and enlighten U.S. consumers about what makes South African plums special is key to furthering our presence on grocery store shelves." Fruit began arriving in the U.S. from South Africa with a 50/50 split between New York and Philadelphia, just in time to kick off the consumer promotion. The growing regions have been experiencing favorable weather conditions the last few weeks, which have contributed to the overall quality and taste of South African plums. The South African stone fruit industry has been focused on new cultivars which has led to greater consistency of product in what is quite a challenging category. This ensures consumers have a positive eating experience and can trust the product. Click here to read full article derived from freshplaza.com.

While there has been renewed activism from health organisations for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to increase the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or sugar tax, in this year’s Budget, industry body South African Cane Growers Association (SA Canegrowers) maintains that these calls are misguided and can cause further loss of rural livelihoods. SA Canegrowers says in a statement issued on February 4 that health activists calling for a doubling of the sugar tax and to expand it to fruit juices will result in economic devastation within the sugar industry, including job losses. When the HPL was initially instituted in 2018, it led to more than 16 000 job losses and R2-billion in lost revenue in the first year alone, following the closure of two mills in KwaZulu-Natal, the association notes. The sector was subsequently afforded a two-year reprieve on any sugar tax increases in February 2023 to accord it space to diversify the industry and restructure. SA Canegrowers believes this period is inadequate for the realisation of product diversification and should be extended to at least 2030. Click here to read full article derived from engineeringnews.co.za.

Nearshoring and the downstream beneficiation potential for entrepreneurship and job creation by “keeping it local” have become a growing mitigation strategy among retailers and manufacturers, protecting their business interests against supply chain disruption. Earlier this week, it was reported that local barista chain Vida e Café was sourcing its coffee beans locally, thereby avoiding rampant price increases related to supply shortfalls out of major supplier markets like Brazil and Vietnam. But South Africa’s coffee bean growers in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and now Limpopo, are collectively incapable of catering to local demand, illustrating that nearshoring is not always possible. According to the 5th “Trade in Transition” study, conducted by The Economist Group and DP World, approximately three—quarters of businesses worldwide are reconfiguring their supply chains by expanding rather than reducing their network of suppliers. This approach aims to mitigate risks in an increasingly fragmented global landscape. Click here to read full article derived from freightnews.co.za.  

Prices and healthy diets under threat as escalating trade dispute casts shadow over North American market. North America’s importers are “concerned” about the impact that US President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on all imported products from Canada and Mexico could have on fruit and vegetable prices, the health of consumers, and the long-term sustainability of the region’s fresh produce trade. In response to the move, Canada plans to introduce its own 25 per cent tariff on US products, while Mexico says it will push tariff and non-tariff measures. Allison Moore, executive vice-president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), told Fruitnet her organisation was “still analysing everything”, but admitted her organisation’s members had serious doubts over how the dispute might affect their ability to supply enough produce when domestic supply isn’t available. FPAA represents North American companies involved in the import, distribution, and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables, primarily from Mexico into the United States and Canada. Read full article derived from fruitnet.com here.

The global avocado market is experiencing dynamic shifts, influenced by production increases, shifting consumer demand, and logistical challenges. Peru, Israel, and Morocco currently dominate the supply, while the wholesale market price for standard commercial sizes (14-16-18) ranges from 20 to 23 euros per crate. In Europe, supply and demand remain balanced, but economic factors, including inflation and political instability in France, have weakened demand. Meanwhile, competition among suppliers continues to intensify, particularly as Spain faces increasing pressure from Morocco and Kenya encounters export difficulties. The Super Bowl on February 10, a major driver of U.S. avocado consumption, could temporarily reduce export volumes to Europe, potentially affecting availability in European markets. North America expects a strong supply from Mexico and California, with California's 2025 crop projected at 375 million pounds, the largest since 2020. European markets continue to see shifting supply dynamics, with Italy emerging as a growing consumer and Spain increasing its Hass avocado production while reducing greenskin varieties. Click here to read full article derived from freshplaza.com.

In this insightful interview with Anlie Hattingh, Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff reviews the key milestones and challenges of 2024 while sharing his vision for 2025. The discussion dives into crucial topics such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, sustainable practices across agriculture and its value chains, and what lies ahead for the industry. Click here to watch full interview.

Wolfe Braude, Fruit Desk Manager at Agbiz Fruit, discusses the latest developments in South Africa's trade environment and their impact on the agricultural sector. He also highlights the role of Agbiz Fruit and its contributions to supporting and growing the fruit industry. Click here to watch to learn more about trade insights and Agbiz Fruit’s key initiatives!

In this video, Agbiz Grain General Manager Wessel Lemmer discusses the history and significance of Agbiz Grain, its role in South Africa's agricultural landscape, and the benefits it offers to its members. Learn more about how Agbiz Grain supports the grain sector and fosters growth within the industry. Click here to watch video.

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. 

CGA Citrus Summit

11-13 March 2025 | The Boardwalk Hotel, Summerstrand, Gqeberha

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NCM 89th AGM & Congress

13-14 March 2025 | Zebula Golf Estate & Spa

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Grain Handling Organisation of Southern Africa (GOSA) Symposium 2025

18-19 March 2025 | Mossel Bay 

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Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba

1-2 April 2025 | Lavender Kontrei Market, Pretoria North, Gauteng 

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Transforming Poultry Productivity and Empowering Sustainability in Africa

29-30 April 2025 | The Garden Venue, 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.
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