We hope you enjoyed a restful festive season, and we wish you all the best for 2025. The coming year will no doubt pose challenges, but there are exciting prospects on the horizon. To start, Agbiz and industry colleagues coordinated efforts and funding over the festive season to initiate a project in the Port of Cape Town. The industry contracted service providers to supply mobile plug points powered by generators that will land in the Cape Town Container Terminal on the 15th of January until the 15th of April. These will be operated by Transnet and create buffer capacity when the peak export season sets in. Although we will only know the true impact after the season, it should be seen as a pilot and will hopefully open the path for future public-private partnerships in the logistics space. The world’s eyes will be on South Africa as we host the G20 and B20 conferences, where the agricultural value chain will feature prominently. There is certainly reason to be optimistic, and we look forward to a prosperous year in partnership with our members and stakeholders. Thank you for your continued support and compliments of the new year. Theo Boshoff (Agbiz CEO). 

“A Louisiana patient who had been hospitalized with severe bird flu has died, the first such fatality in the United States, state health officials reported on Monday. The patient was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions, the officials said. The individual became infected with the bird flu virus, H5N1, after exposure to a backyard flock and wild birds. There is no sign that the virus is spreading from person to person anywhere in the country, and Louisiana officials have not identified any other cases in the state. Pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume.” We have seen various media stories about bird flu spreading in parts of the US. Normally, bird flu is an issue for the poultry industry, but recently, we saw the disease spread to dairy cattle and, soon after that, to people. I am highlighting it not because South Africa and the Southern Africa region face an apparent risk. I am highlighting it to illustrate that the animal disease issue is a global challenge and that South Africa must continue to strengthen its biosecurity system – the measures in place to reduce the risk of infectious diseases being transmitted to crops, livestock and poultry. Click here to read full analysis by Agbiz Chief economist Wandile Sihlobo. Click here to read The bird flu is spreading in the U.S. dairy industry, and South Africa’s agriculture must monitor it closely.

Brazil on Monday announced Indonesia had become a full member of Brics, a bloc of developing economies increasingly seen as a counterweight to the West. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said Southeast Asia’s most populous country “shares with the other members the will to reform the institutions of global governance and contribute positively to co-operation within the Global South.” Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of the grouping this year, said Indonesia’s bid to join the bloc had been approved during a summit in 2023 in Johannesburg. Brics was created in 2009 by founding members Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined the following year. Last year, the grouping expanded with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates becoming full members. During its presidency, Brazil aims to boost co-operation between countries of the “Global South” and reform multilateral institutions. Read full article derived from nzherald.co.nz here.

Various trends will reshape the global agribusiness environment over the next 10 years. These trends include agriculture in controlled environments, such as tunnels and greenhouses, which could counter seasonal production advantages, the rise of digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, the use of blockchain and big data, and a return to mechanical weed control using robots. Of these, Theo Boshoff, CEO of Agbiz, identified green trade barriers, geopolitical instability and rising protectionism as the biggest threats in the near term. “There is little the industry can do to influence these factors, except to adapt. From Agbiz’s side, we are trying to smoothen the transition by assisting members and influencing the South African response to these challenges,” he said. Green trade barriers, defined as trade barriers aimed at protecting the environment but with potentially trade distorting effects, are driven by consumer pressure, stakeholder activism or access to capital. Click here to read full article derived from farmersweekly.co.za.

The agricultural sector eyes growth as the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg promises new opportunities. Experts highlight the event’s potential to boost trade, innovation, and sustainability, fostering resilience and inclusive economic growth. The outlook for South African agriculture in 2025 presents a blend of optimism and recovery. According to leading agricultural economists, the sector is positioned to leverage global opportunities, technological innovation, and favourable policy shifts to navigate lingering challenges. According to Buhle Dube, an agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), the G20 Summit to be hosted in Johannesburg in 2025, promises to be a pivotal moment for the country’s agricultural sector “The summit presents an opportunity to strengthen the continent’s agricultural voice. Collaborative efforts on climate resilience, trade, and innovation could create a ripple effect, benefiting farmers across Africa, ” he said. Click here to read full article derived from foodformzansi.co.za.

Agri SA and the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) have noted the sharp decline in South Africa’s agricultural performance in the third quarter of 2024, with a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter decrease of 28.8%. While a decline was anticipated due to a challenging mid-summer drought, the extent of the decrease was surprising. In response, Agri SA and Agbiz requested the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) to conduct a detailed analysis of the data. BFAP, a renowned research organization with extensive knowledge of South African and African agriculture, has been publishing the BFAP Baseline for over twenty years and has recently issued quarterly research briefs on agricultural performance. Following the recent publication of South Africa’s agricultural performance, BFAP conducted a rapid assessment of the available data from StatsSA and the more detailed accounts from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development. Click here to read full Perspectives on Agriculture Performance and click here to read media statement.

We can view 2024 in SA’s agriculture as a “mixed” year. Indeed, GDP figures will show a sharp contraction in agricultural fortunes in the year. But a deep dive shows a more nuanced picture of mixed performance. The field crops and livestock subsectors, for example, had their fair share of challenges, while the horticulture subsector had a better year. A midsummer drought led to a 23% decline in SA’s 2023-24 summer grains and oilseeds to 15.40-million tonnes. Animal disease continued to be a big challenge for farmers. It is understandable because there have been various cases of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry over the past three years. A positive development last year, though not agriculture-specific, is the improvement in electricity supply. It contributed to the sector and partly to the robust horticulture production. Click here to read full article and click here to listen to podcast on the same topic.

Protectionism is on the rise in global agriculture. While the US and the import tariffs president-elect Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail attract most attention, the EU is another area worth monitoring. To be fair, protectionism in the EU is not as brazen as in the US for most industries, though agriculture is the exception. This has implications for SA, since the EU is our second-largest agricultural trade bloc. We thus need to work to diversify our agricultural export markets. I am not saying we should disregard the EU as it remains vital. We must nurture that relationship while we work to diversify in other markets. Headlines this week indicate that French farmers are again protesting. They are unhappy about the EU-South America trade agreement. The EU-Mercosur trade deal will remove tariffs on about 90% of trade in goods between the two sides, over a period of roughly 12 years. Agricultural exports from the Mercosur bloc will be subject to gradually rising quotas. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo derived from businesslive.co.za.

This will likely be a year of recovery in South Africa’s agriculture. Much of the county benefitted from the La Niña rains. However, the recovery may be weaker than initially anticipated. The La Niña rains were late in some regions, such as Delmas in Mpumalanga, various regions of Limpopo, and parts of the Free State. This added strain on the grazing veld and delayed summer crop planting. Still, the overall agricultural production conditions promise to be better than in 2024, characterized by the mid-summer drought and animal disease challenge. South Africa has also progressed notably in controlling the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases, such as avian influenza and African swine fever. This sets the livestock and poultry subsector in an ideal position to rebuild, provided we see a sustained recovery in the grazing veld across the country and yellow maize production, a primary feed. Click here to read full report by Wandile Sihlobo. And, click here to watch eNCA interview on the same topic.

Higher white maize prices in South Africa may be a reality in the first quarter of 2025. Relief may start in the second quarter. On Friday, 3 January, South Africa’s white maize spot price traded at about R6,871 per tonne, up more than 50% from the previous year. The fundamental challenge we face is that white maize stocks are tight. If we continue using about 428,667 tonnes monthly, the 2024/25 marketing year may end with closing stocks of just 277,884 tonnes by 30 April 2025, according to the National Agricultural Marketing Council’s November 2024 report. To understand how tight such closing stocks are, consider the 2023/24 marketing year: the white maize closing stocks were 1.3 million tonnes, and in the 2022/23 marketing year they were 1.1 million tonnes. The 2024-25 marketing year started on 1 May 2024 and will end in April 2025. The tighter stocks also imply that South Africa must have early deliveries for the 2025/26 marketing year (which corresponds with the 2024/25 production year) starting on 1 May. Click here to read full report by Wandile Sihlobo for dailymaverick.co.za.

Geopolitical tensions and restrictive trade policies constitute a significant risk factor in global agriculture. There has been an escalation of trade tensions since 2018 when the US introduced import tariffs on Chinese products, and China retaliated with import tariffs on agricultural products. In the years after, trade disruptions intensified with Russia invading Ukraine. The recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East have made for an even more geopolitically fragmented world. These events have created an environment where more and more countries are looking inward in terms of trade policies, and others prefer “friendshoring”, which relies more on countries they have geopolitical alliances with or in the same trade bloc. With President Donald Trump’s return to office and his statement regarding import tariffs to a range of countries, and more specifically on China, we believe that trade fragmentation may be a big theme in the next few years. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

The African governments must decide if they want to fight poverty in the continent or continue to plunge millions of Africans into hunger. A deliberate policy change towards boosting agricultural productivity would help us address the poverty challenge. We can learn from various parts of the world that are busy changing their policies to increase agricultural production. For example, China, which has close relations with several governments in Africa, is advancing in boosting its agricultural sector in an admirable way, which Africa should emulate. Amongst many interventions, China is advancing seed breeding in maize, soybeans and other staple crops. They are embracing science to boost their agricultural development. Our primary focus in Africa should be seed breeding or improving agricultural productivity. Of course, this is not the only thing to focus on. We must also deal with land governance, enhance infrastructure across the network industries, ensure limited government intervention in trade and commodity prices, embrace large-scale farming, ease access to finance for farmers, and strengthen producer organizations, amongst other interventions. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

On various occasions, I have highlighted South Africa’s agricultural sector’s gains in the first three decades of democracy. The sector has more than doubled in value and volume terms. Better seed varieties in crops, vegetables, and fruits, as well as improved genetics in livestock and poultry, have, among other interventions, been the catalyst for output growth. The opening up of export markets over the years has also created a solid demand that today, we export roughly half of what we produce in value terms. Our agricultural exports amounted to a record US$13,2 billion in 2023. In appreciating this progress, some often ask about the black farmers’ contribution. The data on this is shaky, but based on various industry research, we can state that black farmers account, on average, for around 10% of the commercial agricultural output. This gives one an indication of their contribution to exports. The matters of why black farmers account for this much produce thirty years in democracy and how we could build an even more inclusive agricultural sector are issues we discussed at length in our recent book, A Country of Two Agricultures. We encourage all caring South Africans to read the book. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

Agricultural analysts typically use three indicators to gauge the next season’s prospects when no other data provides valuable guidance. They look at the weather outlook and commodity prices, which influence farmers’ decisions about how much area they can plant. For example, higher prices are always an incentive, especially when the weather is favourable. Another indicator is tractor sales. Typically, higher tractor sales signal optimism and farmers’ readiness for the next season. An email from the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, which presented the country’s tractor sales for November 2024, reminded me of these factors. The data showed that South Africa’s tractor sales were down 24% year-on-year, with 523 units sold. These weak sales are unsurprising and in line with the trend we observed for much of 2024 (see the chart). To an occasional observer of these things, the figures would worry and perhaps even suggest that the season ahead faces much trouble. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

I wasn’t planning to write much about the Eastern Cape’s agriculture. But the excellent rains the province has been receiving have prompted me to say something about its potential agricultural fortunes. Some often view the Eastern Cape’s economy through the lens of its auto industry, amongst other sectors. However, the province does well in agriculture — in various commodities, including dairy, wool, sheep farming, and citrus. The Eastern Cape is also making encouraging inroads, boosting new entrant farmers’ output on wool and, soon, hopefully, in other value chains. The efforts for inclusive growth require a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector. But the broad issues that require the attention of the leadership of the province involve improvement of land governance, investment in agricultural infrastructures such as silos and roads, revitalising the irrigation infrastructure, addressing the inefficient local government service delivery for agribusinesses in various towns, rising crime, amongst other challenges. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo. Click here to read What is constraining the Eastern Cape’s economic possibilities? 

A lot is happening in the world and I probably should not be focusing on vegetables. Still, I want to underscore that there must be greater collaboration in the Southern Africa region’s agricultural community to expand production and address the poverty issues. We cannot afford trade friction such as Botswana and Namibia’s blocking vegetables and fruit imports from South Africa. Thankfully, Botswana has corrected this policy mistake and is gradually removing the restrictions. And yes, no one disputes that both Namibia and Botswana should develop their domestic agricultural production. My issue has been the unfair ban and restrictions on vegetables and citrus exports from South Africa to both countries. Consumers in both countries have had to pay more for food because of supply constraints. Economist Ndaba Gaolathe, who is Botswana’s vice-president and finance minister, recently stated that: “Anything that requires tariffs to sustain it, even in the short term, is bad economics. What is happening now is that food and vegetables have become more expensive in Botswana. Low-income groups — people who are already struggling — are spending a larger percentage of their income on food.” Read full article here.

Agriculture is constantly evolving, whether in respect of products, working conditions, or marketing strategies. As technology, market dynamics, and consumer needs and preferences change, those involved in agriculture must adapt to meet market demands and operate sustainably. In this context, the regulatory environment is essential because it provides a framework for promoting fairness, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring agricultural practices align with industry standards, protect resources, and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. Over the years, laws and associated regulations have been introduced in the agricultural sector to regulate product quality, ensure food safety, and protect consumers and other value chain participants. Being heavily involved in exports, the grain industry must take into consideration the directives of overseas markets and the needs of their clients, requiring all stakeholders to adapt accordingly. Click here to read full article by Koos du Pisanie, Plaas Media for the Agbiz Grain Quarterly November 2024 issue.

Financially fragile economies are pursuing market-friendly reforms, while some stronger emerging market economies are doing the opposite. It is always the case that some countries embrace market-friendly reforms, while others do the opposite. And most of the time, there seem to be few distinct patterns in the choices different countries make. But these days there is a more visible trend in policymaking across emerging market and developing economies: the most financially fragile countries are pursuing disciplined market-friendly reforms, while some of the more historically stable developing economies seem to be moving in the opposite direction. Call it “two-way traffic” in emerging markets. This year has been remarkable for the sheer number of financially fragile emerging market economies adopting economic reforms aimed at eliminating vulnerabilities. Argentina, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and others are making efforts to end distortions in their foreign exchange markets, rein in the growth of public debt, accumulate foreign exchange reserves, and set the stage for sustainable growth. Read full article here.

National Treasury recently published a paper proposing changes to the excise policy on alcoholic beverages. At present, customs and excise on alcohol is levied at a percentage point based on the estimated retail price. For years, the rate has outstripped inflation. In the latest discussion paper, National Treasury proposes a different methodology that taxes categories of beverages according to their alcohol content, thereby distinguishing between wine with less than 0,5% alcohol, 0,5% to 4,5%, and 4,5% to 9% and 9% to 16,5%. The proposal is to allocate the current excise rate to the second category, with 4,5% to 9% paying 1,4 times the current rate and 9% to 16,5% 1,8 times the current rate. The current rate could then apply to fermented beverages with a lower alcohol content but most premium, South African wines will be in the higher of the two brackets and this implies a potential increase in taxes of between 40% and 80%. Click here to read full article by Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff for Farmer’s Weekly.

Following Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s approval of the publishing of the Transnet network statement, which facilities open access to South Africa’s rail network by third-party operators, the Road Freight Association (RFA) has raised concerns about potential challenges that could arise for prospective participants. RFA CEO Gavin Kelly points to the possibility of disputes, drawing parallels to issues experienced at the Port of Durban during a trial period when of Transnet Freight Rail sold sections of the network between 2022 and 2024. The trial period aimed to gain insights from private operators and develop cost-reduction strategies. Stakeholder concerns over Transnet’s privatisation efforts at the Durban container port were highlighted when the Durban High Court in October issued an interim interdict preventing Transnet from negotiating and implementing a contract with a chosen contractor. This followed a legal challenge by a losing bidder, leading to some calling for a “do-over” of the process. Read full article from engineeringnews.co.za here.

The impending network changes by major container lines appear set to ensure the continuation of services around South Africa’s Cape Peninsula until at least the latter half of 2025. CEO and partner at Vespucci Maritime, Lars Jensen, has said that the resumption of services through the Suez Canal will necessitate further network adjustments, raising doubts about whether carriers will be prepared to make such changes before August, “at least”. He is quoted in The Loadstar saying: “Shipping lines are set to phase in their new networks over the course of February and March, which means reliability during this period will be all over the place. “However, the moment they decide to go through the Red Sea again, they will have to change their networks. I do not see a scenario in which they are going to be happy, having done this in February, to then be required to do it again in April or May.” Click here to read full article by freightnews.co.za.

Agriculture in South Africa faces a pivotal moment under the government of national unity. While challenges such as land policy and interdepartmental silos persist, leaders and voices from the sector emphasise collaboration, trust, and investment to secure a brighter future for farmers. The year 2024 saw South Africa having a government of national unity (GNU) following the May elections which resulted in no political party winning an outright majority. This resulted in the national executive being composed of leaders of different political parties. With agriculture headed by former official opposition leader, John Steenhuisen, many in the sector had mixed emotions about the changes he was going to bring. General manager of Transvaal Agricultural Union (TLU), Bennie van Zyl, said it is critical to the elected government to drive investment as that is the only option to rescue the country’s economy. Focus on growing the economy “People are still concerned because the issue of expropriation without compensation is still being talked about even in this government of national unity, specifically by the ANC as if they are running the government alone,” he said. Click here to read full article derived from foodformzansi.co.za.

Botswana’s newly elected government under President Duma Boko has officially lifted its import restrictions on vegetables from South Africa. This decisive move is expected to revitalise trade routes that have been affected by previous policies and enhance food security within Botswana’s borders. The National Agricultural Marketing Council (Namc) yesterday heralded this decision as a pivotal moment not only for Botswana but for the agricultural economy of South Africa as well. According to Namc, the restrictions had previously caused a significant dip in South African vegetable exports to Botswana—falling from $33.8 million in 2021 to just $14.7m in 2023. In a statement, Namc said a key feature of the Southern African Custom Union (SACU) is the application of a single tariff regime, that is, the common external tariff (CET). “This means the member states form a single customs territory which provides for a free movement of goods where tariffs and other barriers are eliminated on all trade between and amongst them,” Namc said. Click here to read full article derived from motoring.co.za.

Expect to see more plant-based, tech-enhanced, and even edible fresh produce packaging this year, as artificial intelligence continues to shape the business. As we head into 2025, the packaging industry is evolving rapidly, driven by sustainability, innovation, and efficiency. In the produce sector, this transformation is evident in the rise of biodegradable materials, smart packaging, and a growing focus on reducing plastic usage. In 2024, global trends – particularly in Europe – pushed for bans or limits on plastic packaging for fresh produce, prompting the adoption of alternatives like compostable films and reusable containers. This shift, alongside advancements in automation and AI, has optimised designs, improved sustainability, and reduced waste. Click here to read full article fruitnet.com.

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced enhancements to its network in Southern Africa aimed at facilitating trade between the region and Europe. The update includes the revision of the North-West Continent (NWC) to South Africa service and the introduction of two new shuttle services. The NWC to South Africa service now offers direct connections between North Europe and South Africa, extending to Namibia with a direct call at Walvis Bay. Additionally, the Namibia Express will link Cape Town, South Africa, and Walvis Bay, Namibia, allowing for the transshipment of cargo from Europe to Namibia via Cape Town. The Mozambique Shuttle is designed to connect Walvis Bay with several ports in Mozambique and extend up to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya, making Walvis Bay a transshipment hub for cargo headed to Maputo and Beira from Europe. Walvis Bay is positioned as a new transshipment hub on the Southern Africa West Coast, enhancing the movement of goods from Europe through the NWC to South Africa service. Click here to read full article by freshplaza.com.

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) is excited to announce the appointment of Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will be leading the association that champions the vital role the citrus industry plays in South African agriculture and the economy. The CGA represents over 1 560 citrus growers from South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Dr Ntshabele has extensive experience spanning the areas of academia, the private sector and the public sector. For the past five years he has been the Director Biosecurity at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). Originally trained as a veterinarian, Dr Ntshabele has also held leadership positions at Onderstepoort Biological Products. He was the Minister Counsellor Agriculture in the South African Embassy to Belgium, Luxemburg and the Mission to the European Union from 2015 to 2019. Click here to read more.

Willie Jacobs, CEO of Potatoes South Africa, addressed concerns regarding potato supply, emphasizing the resilience of South Africa's potato production system. Despite temporary supply decreases, Jacobs highlighted the unique advantage of South Africa's year-round production, facilitated by its distribution across 16 regions. This structure allows for a steady supply, mitigating the impact of regional supply disruptions. Potatoes SA has advised against panic over supply issues, even in the face of spring heatwaves affecting producers. The organization points out the reliance on irrigation for potato farming, which has kept production steady despite concerns over food prices and the need for rain in parts of South Africa for maize cultivation. Jacobs also touched on the negative consequences of panic-driven price inflation, such as trade disruptions and subsequent price volatility. Moreover, inflated prices can lead to increased potato planting, which may then disturb the supply and demand balance, maintaining low prices due to oversupply. Click here to read full article derived from freshplaza.com.

South African apple exporters regained access to the valuable Thai market shortly before Christmas following a 16-year absence. Exporters expect that newer varieties in particular, such as Fuji, Joya and Royal Gala, could benefit from access to the Thai market, as well as the popular Pink Lady, which is already performing well in the Far East. “Having Thailand as a new destination in the Far East for our apples will significantly enhance our footprint,” said Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Marketing, South Africa’s biggest exporter of pome fruit. According to industry body Hortgro, South African apple exports have surged by 40% over the past decade, primarily driven by exports to the Far East and Asia, which currently account for about 35% of all South African apple exports. However, Pienaar cautioned that it would be hard work to re-establish a foothold in this market. The local industry is putting the finishing touches to a market development campaign aimed at reintroducing its apples to Thai traders and consumers. Click here to read full article by freightnews.co.za. 

In this video, we give you an exclusive look into the Agbiz Media Day 2024, featuring Agbiz Chief Economist Wandile Sihlobo as he unveils the latest insights from the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index. Discover how these metrics reflect the resilience and trends within South Africa's agribusiness sector. Click here to watch full video.

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.

For the Agbiz Media Day 2024, Annelize Crosby, Agbiz Head of Legal Intelligence, highlights the significant policy and legislative focus on water and the environment as we head into 2025. Gain valuable insights into the key developments shaping the agricultural and agribusiness landscape. Watch to understand the implications and opportunities for the sector. Click here to watch video.

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.

We are excited to announce that Agbiz will be moving to our new office in the week of 2 to 6 December. Our new location will be at Agri-Hub Office Park, Block C, First Floor, 477 Witherite Street, The Willows, Pretoria. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to Retha at admin@agbiz.co.za.

Agbiz is currently in the process of recruiting a manager to head up its Grain Desk. Anyone interested in applying for this exciting position, is encouraged to submit their CV and supporting documentation before 24 January 2025. The position is integral to the Agbiz operations and candidates will be working with key policy issues and initiatives to support the grain storage and handling sector. More details can be found in the advertisement 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. 

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.
• 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.